Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng this week urged Washington and Beijing to cooperate on artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing shared responsibility to mitigate risks following a high-level summit between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.
Two key developments emerged from the discussions:
- China’s call for collaboration: Ambassador Xie stated in an interview with Newsweek that the U.S. and China must work together to prevent potential catastrophic outcomes from unregulated AI advances. He argued that open-source collaboration, rather than technological decoupling, is the safer path forward.
- AI highlighted in summit readouts: Official summaries of the Xi-Trump meeting devoted significant attention to AI, reflecting its growing prominence in bilateral relations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s readout specifically noted Xi’s remarks on the issue, while the U.S. position was summarized as part of broader discussions on strategic stability and trade.
China’s stance on AI cooperation
Ambassador Xie framed AI as a shared global challenge requiring joint action. In the Newsweek interview, he warned that lack of sufficient regulation could pose existential risks, estimating a 10-20% chance of human extinction over the next decade due to unchecked AI progress. He added that technological decoupling and self-isolation increase risks, while open collaboration reduces them.
Xie also addressed concerns about AI’s geopolitical implications, stating that the U.S.-China relationship should be a ‘race of catching up with one another’ rather than a zero-sum competition. He emphasized that both nations have the capability and responsibility to ensure AI development benefits humanity.
U.S. responses and broader context
The U.S. has previously framed AI competition as a strategic priority. President Trump has warned that China seeks to displace the U.S. as the dominant global power through advancements in AI and other technologies. The administration’s stance contrasts with China’s emphasis on cooperation, highlighting a divergence in approaches to managing AI risks.
The summit between Xi and Trump covered a range of issues, but AI was among the most prominently discussed topics in official readouts. Analysts note that the heightened focus reflects growing international concern over AI’s potential dangers, including misalignment, misuse, and unintended consequences.
Implications for global AI governance
The call for U.S.-China cooperation on AI comes amid broader debates over international regulation. Some experts advocate for binding global agreements to manage AI risks, while others argue that voluntary frameworks are more practical given the rapid pace of technological change. The differing approaches between Washington and Beijing—one emphasizing competition, the other cooperation—could shape future global standards.
The discussions also underscore the dual-use nature of AI, where advancements in civilian applications can have significant military or security implications. Both nations have invested heavily in AI research, with China aiming to become a global leader by 2030 and the U.S. prioritizing domestic innovation and strategic dominance.