US and China Discuss AI Safety Plan Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit - BBC News
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Top US and Chinese Officials Discuss AI Safety Mechanism
Top US and Chinese officials have discussed creating a new "notification mechanism" for Artificial Intelligence (AI) incidents that could affect national security, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He made these comments after what he described as "successful" talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York.
The meeting took place ahead of the highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this week.
AI has recently come under intense scrutiny, with researchers highlighting potential risks and industry leaders advocating for a more cautious approach.
"We think that, just like with any cross-border activity, that moving from opaque to more transparency between the number one and the number two AI powers in the world is very important," Bessent said.
He also mentioned other topics discussed during the meeting, including plans to "operationalise" a process for identifying potential tariff cuts on goods known as the Board of Trade. The current truce in the tariffs war between the US and China is set to expire on November 10th.
Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that both sides had "candid, in-depth, and constructive exchanges" on key economic and trade issues, noting discussions around AI.
In a post on X, Bessent stated that the talks "help lay the groundwork for President Trump to advance America's economic interests and deliver results for the American people."
The US and China are locked in a fierce race to dominate the AI and technology sectors. While Washington has faced calls to slow down AI development due to concerns about its potential negative impact, Trump has largely dismissed these worries, arguing that existing policies are sufficient and that the US cannot let China gain an edge. He previously stated, "Whoever wins in AI, wins."