US and China seek AI crisis hotline ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a major focus for the upcoming Trump-Xi summit, with Washington proposing a US-China notification mechanism for major AI developments or threats, potentially overshadowing traditional issues like Taiwan and Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the proposal after meeting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, aiming to establish a shared vision of common goals and threats. Both nations recognize risks from AI incidents, including autonomous systems and AI-generated misinformation, though they differ on primary dangers—China focuses on deepfakes and social disruption, while the US worries about loss of control. The proposed mechanism remains at an early stage, with possible models including crisis hotlines or information sharing on malicious AI use. However, neither government appears willing to commit to binding constraints on AI development, as both see leadership as a strategic advantage. Tech executives from OpenAI, Apple, and Nvidia are expected at the summit, highlighting the technology's diplomatic significance.