AI fight shadows final preparations for Xi Jinping’s White House visit

Tensions surrounding artificial intelligence are influencing the final preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States. Washington and Beijing are discussing the potential inclusion of an AI dialogue within a broader economic meeting prior to the summit, according to sources familiar with the arrangements.

In May, the two leaders committed to launching an intergovernmental dialogue on AI. However, recent efforts have been hampered, with the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng tasked with handling both the AI talks and the economic talks. Bessent is responsible for both the AI and economic discussions.

The decision to merge the two meetings is being viewed as a logistical solution due to the difficulty in scheduling a second high-level meeting so close to the summit. The AI file encompasses various areas, including semiconductor controls, distillation, intellectual property, safety rules, cybersecurity, and military constraints.

American AI companies are lobbying the White House for a tougher stance, while China is resisting any potential global ban on Chinese AI models. Despite the challenges, both sides view the visit as an important opportunity, particularly in light of upcoming political events in both nations.