US and China to seek 'AI dialogue' to communicate shared concerns

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that US and Chinese officials discussed establishing a US-China AI dialogue during talks on Sunday, aiming to address shared concerns about artificial intelligence (AI). Bessent expressed the desire for a common vision of goals and threats in AI, emphasizing the importance of transparency between the world's leading AI powers.

The US proposed a notification mechanism for potential incidents or national security-level situations arising from AI, with both sides agreeing to meet again. These talks served as a prelude to an upcoming White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. They agreed to operationalize a new "Board of Trade" discussed during their May meeting in Beijing.

Amid growing fears about the potential dangers of advanced AI systems, both nations sought a rare opportunity for cooperation. Trump has not been inclined to slow down AI development, fearing it would enable China to surpass US companies. Chinese state media described the meetings as candid, in-depth, and constructive, with both sides discussing key economic and trade issues of mutual interest.