In a significant diplomatic move ahead of the upcoming summit in Washington, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng concluded talks in New York focusing on artificial intelligence safety. The US side proposed a new information mechanism aimed at transitioning from opacity to greater transparency between the world's two leading AI powers.
National Security and Common Threats
The proposed mechanism will focus on national security issues, covering AI-related incidents that could pose common threats. According to Mr. Bessent, such a dialogue is imperative for managing cross-border risks. Although leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping first discussed the possibility of consultations in Beijing last May, the forum had never been formally institutionalized until now.
Challenges and Future Agenda
Despite the positive tone from China's Xinhua news agency, which described the exchanges as "candid and constructive," trust remains low. Analysts suggest that Beijing views Washington's moves with suspicion, perceiving them as attempts to contain Chinese technological growth. Future meetings are expected to address more sensitive topics, including:
- The militarization of artificial intelligence.
- Protection of critical infrastructure.
- Prevention of cyberattacks.
- International principles for AI safety.
Notably, the current agenda did not include US export restrictions on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, a topic that remains a major point of friction in bilateral relations.
