A global AI safety strategy depends on US-China cooperation. They each see the other as the problem

Hong Kong (AP) — As worry grows over artificial intelligence's risks, hopes for global cooperation hinge on U.S.-China collaboration, two powers that appear increasingly distrustful of each other's AI strategies. This joint meeting is set to occur next week in Washington between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with the issue gaining urgency on both sides.

American tech leaders argue that averting worst-case AI scenarios requires cooperation with China, but both nations are aggressively pursuing AI dominance. President Trump has resisted calls for stricter AI regulation, fearing it would allow China to surpass the U.S. He has claimed that the country leading in AI "wins." In contrast, China is advancing AI models globally, gaining traction despite U.S. restrictions on advanced chips.

American AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI restrict access in China, acknowledging the need for safety cooperation but also pushing for measures to maintain U.S. supremacy. Despite ideological differences, Chinese officials acknowledge the need for dialogue on AI, emphasizing the growing necessity for cooperation.