China has criticized what it terms "threat narratives" surrounding AI governance, urging against "engaging in confrontation and malicious competition." This statement comes in the wake of calls from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei for a slowdown in AI development, specifically in a manner that would prevent China from gaining an advantage in the AI race.
Recent warnings from leading US AI labs have highlighted the potential existential threat posed by AI, with some suggesting it could lead to the extinction of humanity. However, US President Donald Trump has stated his priority is ensuring the US develops the technology faster than China.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters on Monday that "narratives of threat, confrontation, and malicious competition serve only to disrupt the process of global AI governance and are not in anyone's interest." He added, "All parties should work together to advance AI in a manner that is open, inclusive, beneficial to all, and oriented toward the good."
These comments underscore the challenges in achieving consensus between the world's two primary AI powers. Chang Jun Yan, an assistant professor with the military studies program at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, believes an agreement between the US and China to regulate AI development is "next to impossible." She stated, "As part of each state's core national security interests, cooperation in taking things slower and more safely in relation to AI, is very, very unlikely."
AI is now central to the US-China rivalry, as the world's two largest economies vie for dominance in advanced technology. Despite US export restrictions on critical chips, Chinese AI innovation has continued to grow, fueled by open-source technology and government support.
Many experts believe the US still holds the lead, with Chinese firms striving to catch up amidst difficulties in raising the substantial capital being invested in American AI companies. However, Beijing, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has also acknowledged the risks associated with AI. State security minister Chen Yixin wrote on Sunday that China must "balance development and security," implement and improve relevant laws and ethical guidelines, and strengthen risk prevention to "safeguard the interests of the people and national security." He cautioned against "hostile forces," such as foreign intelligence agencies, exploiting AI and called for international cooperation.
Kenton Thibaut, a senior resident China fellow at the Atlantic Council, recently wrote that "there are strong signals that Washington and Beijing share an understanding of frontier risks." She argues that China has "technical reasons" to collaborate with the US, as its developers could gain insights into how their models are used outside China, enabling them to detect and understand vulnerabilities.
In July, China established the World AI Cooperation Organization, aimed at shaping global AI governance. At the Brics summit in India on Sunday, Xi proposed the creation of a community for open-source AI.
These developments occur as calls for AI regulation intensify in the US, particularly after former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxson stated last week that "there is a strong chance that we could all die in the immediate future" if current development trends persist. Subsequently, prominent industry leaders like Amodei have advocated for a slowdown and increased regulation.
OpenAI's chief executive Sam Altman wrote on X on Monday, "We need ways to ensure that alignment and safety techniques stay ahead of progress in model capabilities," a sentiment echoed by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who stated that AI development "cannot be controlled by a handful of entities."
However, US President Donald Trump has downplayed these risks, asserting his desire to maintain the US lead over China, "because whoever wins AI, wins." The competition is intense. Coxson told the BBC that "some sort of coordinated slowdown with China, if we're going to avoid a race at an international scale" is necessary.
As Trump prepares to host Xi at the White House next week, both sides are reportedly seeking to include AI on the agenda, according to the South China Morning Post. The topic is also likely to be discussed between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who are aiming to meet before the summit. Vice-Premier He oversees the agency responsible for China's economic planning, including AI development.
While collaboration between the US and China is deemed important, experts emphasize the high stakes for both nations. Chasen Nevett, managing director at Hong Kong-based firm Forani Investments, commented, "If China establishes a durable lead in frontier AI, this will not be viewed in Washington as losing a technology race. It will be viewed as losing part of the strategic infrastructure of the next industrial era."
