UN chief calls on China, US to establish AI dialogue

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the United States and China to initiate a dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) on Tuesday. Guterres stated that countries with the most advanced AI capabilities bear the greatest responsibility towards humanity, emphasizing the need for channels of dialogue, transparency, trust, and cooperation.

Guterres drew parallels between the importance of such engagement during the Cold War and the current moment, noting that China and the US are already contemplating the establishment of a communication channel for AI-related concerns ahead of a US-China summit scheduled for Thursday.

The call for dialogue comes amid growing apprehension over the potential existential risks posed by increasingly capable AI systems. Both China and the US are grappling with fears that advanced AI could lead to humanity's demise, presenting a unique opportunity for cooperation despite their competitive race for technological supremacy. AI is a prominent topic at the ongoing UN General Assembly, with US President Donald Trump set to address the assembly on Tuesday.

In anticipation of the week-long meetings and speeches in New York, leaders of over 20 countries have advocated for binding safety measures for advanced AI, warning that the technology's rapid development may outpace humanity's ability to control it. Neither China nor the US signed these safety measures. President Trump has vocally opposed AI safety measures, expressing his intention not to allow the destruction of the AI industry due to what he perceives as unfounded fears.

In July, Chinese President Xi Jinping cautioned against the dominance of AI by a single country, advocating for international cooperation in its development.