US and China agreed to an official AI dialogue ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, with a focus on increasing transparency on AI-related national security risks. The agreement includes a proposed notification mechanism to alert both sides of AI incidents that could impact national security.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed the mechanism during talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York. Bessent said the system would raise the alarm on AI incidents tied to national security, helping both countries develop a shared vision of common goals and threats.
The dialogue is meant to build more transparency between the two countries, which are the world's top AI powers. Both sides plan another meeting to work out the details of the reporting system, according to The Information.
"We think that just like any cross-border activity, moving from opaque to more transparency between the number one and number two AI powers in the world is very important," said Bessent. He added that the agreement builds on previous discussions in Beijing in May, where a board of trade was established.
The announcement comes after AI industry leaders warned that people could lose control of the technology unless research slows down. However, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer made clear that export controls on advanced AI chips were not part of the talks.
US officials had floated an AI slowdown agreement between the two superpowers, but Trump has rejected the idea due to concerns about falling behind in the tech race with China. The summit, which takes place in Washington, is expected to address trade and AI-related issues, including the possible extension of a trade truce.
Source: thedecoder
