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U.S. and China plan to discuss AI safety guardrails, Bessent says
The U.S. and China will hold talks on AI safety guardrails, including keeping powerful AI from nonstate actors, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday in Beijing. It would be the first such formal discussion under Trump's second term.
U.S. and China to Discuss AI Safety Guardrails
The United States and China will discuss guardrails on artificial intelligence, including how to keep powerful AI models away from nonstate actors, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday from Beijing.
Bessent did not specify when these discussions would occur or provide additional details. The announcement came as President Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the capital.
This would mark the first formal discussion of AI safety between the two countries during Trump's second term.
What's Driving the Talks
Both nations have expressed concerns about AI's risks. The technology could be weaponized by hackers and terrorists or spiral beyond human control as capabilities grow.
Neither country has shown willingness to slow its own AI development, even as officials voice these concerns.
Why This Matters for Government
Bilateral talks on AI safety represent a shift in how major powers approach the technology. Government agencies increasingly need to understand both the technical and diplomatic dimensions of AI policy.
For federal employees and officials, understanding AI for Government and the broader context of generative AI and LLM technology helps frame policy decisions and international negotiations.