Charting the Path for U.S.-China AI Collaboration

In a landmark move at last year's APEC summit in San Francisco, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping agreed to establish a bilateral channel for AI consultation, marking a critical step towards addressing the complexities of AI governance. Despite this progress, analysts highlight a stark disconnect between the U.S. and China, particularly in identifying and aligning on the core issues at stake in AI development and regulation.

Why It Matters: The race for AI dominance between China and the U.S. spans both civil and military domains, underscoring the urgent need for collaborative efforts on AI safety measures.

As plans for bilateral telephone talks this spring unfold, the dialogue is set against a backdrop of mutual unfamiliarity with each other's AI policies and regulatory frameworks.

Testimonies at a recent U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission hearing underscored the strategic emphasis on AI within the Chinese military, while Arati Prabhakar of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy emphasized the necessity of working with Beijing to ensure AI's effectiveness, safety, and trustworthiness.

The challenge of establishing efficient dialogue is exacerbated by the nascent state of AI regulation in both nations, with China's Cyberspace Administration leading regulatory efforts without a clear U.S. counterpart.

Context and Watchpoints: Engaging in dialogue could foster essential emergency communication channels and enhance mutual understanding of AI standards and practices.

A symbolic gesture might serve as a powerful signal of commitment to ongoing discussions, focusing on shared concerns like cyberattacks, misinformation, and the responsible military use of AI.

What should be the focus of U.S.-China collaboration on AI?

• Establishing AI Safety Measures
• Harmonizing AI Regulatory Frameworks
• Military AI and Automation
• Pre-Deployment AI Testing

See All Options