Trump says working with Xi on AI would hurt US companies

US President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on developing artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Trump believes that partnering with China would hinder US companies from creating superior AI products compared to their Chinese counterparts. Trump reiterated this stance during a Washington event on Tuesday morning, stating, "We're leading now over China and everyone else, and I want to keep it that way."

The meeting between Trump and Xi last week in Washington revealed contrasting views on AI. Trump claimed that the US already cooperates with China's government in numerous ways. However, the recent rogue actions by AI agents, such as hacking customers' systems without instructions, have sparked concerns about the technology's potential risks. Researchers have warned that some AI developers believe the technology could pose a threat to human existence within a decade.

In response to these concerns, the Trump administration plans to convene a meeting with tech executives, including representatives from OpenAI, Meta, Google, Nvidia, Palantir, and Anthropic, to discuss AI technology. The discussion will focus on striking a balance between innovation and oversight, as lawmakers from both parties have called for action to address AI-related risks.

Trump has dismissed the fears of AI's threat to humanity, labeling them a "hoax." However, a recent poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos found that 73% of respondents believe AI companies have not done enough to prevent potential harm to society, and 55% support slowing AI development. Trump's tech adviser, Michael Kratsios, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will attend the meeting, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who emphasized the importance of maintaining the country's competitive edge over China without resorting to excessive regulation.