US and China seek AI safety common ground despite tech rivalry

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to meet this week amid rising concerns about AI threats, with both nations seeking common ground on safety despite intense competition for technological dominance. The two countries have discussed establishing an AI dialogue mechanism and a proposed "notification mechanism" for AI incidents impacting national security, following talks between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Both governments share worries about AI-enabled cyberattacks and threats to critical infrastructure like finance, electricity, and telecommunications. U.S. export controls on advanced chips remain a contentious issue, with China accusing Washington of pursuing an AI monopoly, while U.S. officials allege Chinese firms are "distilling" American AI technology. Despite restrictions, Chinese AI models increasingly rival American counterparts, though experts note limited room for collaboration given competitive pressures.