<figure> <img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and US President Donald Trump, right, both wearing formalwear, stand side by side, turned slightly toward each other." src="https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/gettyimages-2296996135.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in the White House on September 24, 2026. | Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The national conversation about AI in the US is characterized by concerns regarding its potential risks, including fears about its impact on humanity and the lack of regulatory action from government officials.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Conversely, the AI discourse in China is marked by public enthusiasm and a government-backed initiative for AI leadership, with significant integration of AI into various sectors of society, supported by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Kyle Chan, a technology development expert at the Brookings Institution, noted, "He’s super AI-pilled. When you look at his speeches, when you look at Chinese policy documents, everything is about rolling AI out to as many domains as possible: manufacturing, services, education, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and of course the military."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This rapid AI adoption in China is underpinned by a regulatory framework aimed at maintaining political stability and controlling the dissemination of information by AI models.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Chan discussed these themes in a conversation on Vox’s <em>Today, Explained</em> podcast with co-host Sean Rameswaram, addressing the differing AI concerns in the US and China, as well as the feasibility of joint AI safety regulations amid ongoing competition.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>China's AI Goals</strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">China has established clear objectives to enhance AI adoption, including the AI-plus initiative, which aims for AI penetration in terminal devices to reach 90% or more by 2030.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This initiative is supported by both state-owned enterprises and a general public enthusiasm for AI technology.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Surveys, such as a recent Gallup poll, indicate that the Chinese population generally holds a more positive outlook on AI's potential benefits compared to the more cautious attitudes prevalent in the US.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Concerns in China</strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While there are some worries about AI and job displacement, the predominant concern among Chinese policymakers is the potential for AI-generated content to disrupt political stability. They aim to prevent AI from spreading sensitive information that could undermine the Chinese Communist Party's authority.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To manage this, China has implemented a model registration system requiring AI services to undergo vetting and testing to ensure compliance with political guidelines before public release.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Employment and AI</strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">China faces a demographic challenge with a declining labor force, and while AI is seen as a solution for automating manufacturing, there are also concerns about job losses. Recent legal cases in China have indicated that employers cannot use AI as a justification for terminating employees.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The government is attempting to balance technological advancement with the need to avoid large-scale unemployment and social unrest.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>US-China Relations on AI</strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During Xi Jinping's recent visit to Washington, the interactions between him and US President Donald Trump appeared cordial, despite underlying tensions related to AI competition. Chan noted that while there is a facade of cooperation regarding AI safety, significant competitive dynamics persist.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The competition in AI has become a defining aspect of US-China relations, with both nations striving for leadership in the field.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>AI Popularity</strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The question of who is leading in AI is complex. While the US is recognized for having superior AI models, there is a growing interest in Chinese open-source models in the US, reflecting a mutual influence despite competitive tensions.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Future of AI Cooperation</strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The competitive environment makes cooperation on AI safety challenging. Establishing a formal dialogue between the US and China on AI is seen as a positive step, but significant hurdles remain before any comprehensive agreements can be reached.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The conversation about AI safety is ongoing, with many in the tech industry advocating for proactive measures.</p>
SOURCE: Vox PUBLISHED: 2026-09-29 19:35:44