US seeks ‘AI dialogue’ with China as officials set stage for Trump-Xi summit

New York, September 21 - Economic officials from the United States and China engaged in discussions to establish a communication channel for addressing artificial intelligence (AI) concerns ahead of a summit of their respective top leaders. The talks, which took place at JPMorgan Chase's headquarters in New York, came as both nations grappled with fears surrounding the potential risks AI systems could pose to humanity, presenting an opportunity for cooperation despite a fierce technological rivalry.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed reporters that the meetings resulted in a productive outcome, particularly in the realm of trade and AI. The dialogue aimed to set up a mechanism for exchanging information about potential AI-related incidents that could pose a threat to national security. US officials proposed a notification system to facilitate such exchanges.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng led a team of officials, while US trade officials, including Jamieson Greer, participated in the discussions. The talks also included separate one-on-one meetings between US and Chinese officials, though no further details were provided. Chinese state media reported that the exchanges were candid, in-depth, and constructive, focusing on key economic and trade issues.

US officials emphasized the importance of working together to address trade, technology, and strategic concerns, including potential tariff reductions, non-sensitive goods, and rare earth magnets and critical minerals essential for US manufacturing. Despite the ongoing economic pressure on Iran due to US sanctions, China remains a significant economic partner for Iran.

Analysts anticipate that the Trump-Xi summit, scheduled for November at the APEC forum in Shenzhen, and the G20 summit in December, will see limited progress, with the focus primarily on a short-term truce.