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China has hit out against what it has called "threat narratives" over AI governance and warned against "engaging in confrontation and malicious competition." This follows Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's calls for a slowdown in AI development, in a way that prevents China from pulling ahead in the AI race.
Over the past week, industry insiders at leading US artificial intelligence labs have been warning in stark terms about the potential threat AI poses, with some saying it could wipe out humanity. However, US President Donald Trump has stated that his priority is ensuring the US develops the technology faster than China.
On Monday, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters 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 that all parties should work together to advance AI in an open, inclusive, beneficial manner oriented toward the common good.
His comments highlight the difficulties in reaching an agreement between the world's two leading AI powers. An agreement between the US and China to regulate AI development is "next to impossible," according to Chang Jun Yan, an assistant professor with the military studies program at Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies. He noted that cooperation in slowing down AI development is very unlikely due to each state's core national security interests.
Artificial intelligence now sits at the heart of the US-China rivalry as the world's two largest economies seek to gain an edge in advanced technology. Despite US export bans on critical chips, Chinese AI innovation has been expanding, driven by open-source technology and Beijing's backing. Many experts believe the US is still ahead, while Chinese firms are trying to catch up amid significant investment in American AI.
Beijing, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has also acknowledged the risks posed by AI. China must "balance development and security" and improve relevant laws and ethical guidelines to safeguard the interests of the people and national security, according to state security minister Chen Yixin. He warned of the dangers posed by "hostile forces" using AI and called for international cooperation.
In July, China established the World AI Cooperation Organisation to shape global AI governance. Xi proposed creating a community for open-source AI at the Brics summit in India. This comes amid growing calls for AI regulation in the US, especially after a former Anthropic researcher warned that the current pace of development could lead to catastrophic outcomes.
As Trump prepares to host Xi at the White House next week, AI is expected to be on the agenda for discussions. It is also likely to be part of talks between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who oversees the country's economic planning, including AI development. Experts emphasize the high stakes for both countries, as establishing a lead in frontier AI could be viewed in Washington as losing part of the strategic infrastructure of the next industrial era.