Behind AI doomsday prophecies, US and China jockey for lead in tech race

President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet in Washington this week, with artificial intelligence (AI) expected to be a major topic of discussion, according to a recent report. However, a China technology policy analyst argues that the comparison being made between AI and nuclear arms control may not be accurate.

Antonia Hmaidi, head of the science, technology, and innovation program at the Mercator Institute for China Studies, stated that verifying claims related to AI development is extremely difficult, unlike the verification processes for nuclear weapons. Both China and the US are grappling with the rapid evolution of AI technology, making it challenging to agree on any limits or regulations for its development.

The analyst also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding where AI development might lead in the future, as well as the lack of verifiability in any potential AI-related agreements. While some experts have called for slowing down AI development to ensure safety, the US President has pushed back against such measures, arguing that the US should maintain its lead over China in this rapidly advancing field.