China and US Diplomats to Conduct First High-Level Talks on Artificial Intelligence

High-level envoys from the United States and China are scheduled to meet in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss artificial intelligence, including the risks associated with this rapidly evolving technology and ways to establish shared standards for its management.

This meeting, described as an initial exchange of views, is the first within an inter-governmental dialogue on AI that was agreed upon during a comprehensive meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November.

Both the U.S. and China consider AI to be essential for national security and economic advancement, with Biden administration officials indicating a focus on the development of safe, secure, and reliable AI. These officials spoke anonymously to provide a preview of the meeting during a phone call with reporters.

They also mentioned that the U.S. would outline its approach to addressing potential risks associated with AI by forming voluntary agreements with leading companies in the sector and mandating safety tests for AI products.

The U.S. government views China’s AI efforts as potentially compromising the national security of America and its partners.

China’s official Xinhua news agency, citing the Foreign Ministry, stated that the discussions between the two sides would cover issues like the technological risks of AI and global governance.

The National Security Council at the White House reported that the U.S. delegation is led by presidential adviser and senior director for technology and national security, Tarun Chhabra, and the State Department’s acting special envoy for critical and emerging technologies, Seth Center.