Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, prompting strong warnings from several industry leaders about the potential risks associated with this technology. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has argued for the necessity of slowing down the pace of AI development. His views are shared by OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Elon Musk. Some Silicon Valley experts have expressed concerns that this technology could one day threaten the very existence of humanity. However, the intense competition between the world’s two leading AI powers, China and the United States, has complicated efforts to manage these risks.
As strategic rivals, both countries evaluate AI development primarily in terms of national security and economic advantage, casting doubt on the prospect of positive collaboration. “If the international community expects binding agreements to emerge from US-China talks on these issues, they will likely be disappointed,” said Dr. Ilaria Carrozza, senior researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo. China has ambitious plans for AI, intending to integrate the technology broadly across society and the economy—from agriculture to healthcare and defense sectors.
The Chinese government has long remained vigilant about the potential risks of AI. Since 2017, China has highlighted threats that AI poses to privacy, social stability, and international relations. In recent years, China has mandated labeling for AI-generated content on social media platforms, banned the creation of AI-generated virtual companions for minors, and prohibited the use of deepfakes for misinformation. Compared to their American counterparts, Chinese government bodies and policy advisors hold greater authority to set standards and approve AI development frameworks.
In July, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that future technological advancements “must always remain under human control.” He made this statement at a meeting of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, which China established to promote international dialogue on AI governance. China’s AI Security Framework released in September underlines the necessity of proactive policies to prevent AI from endangering human existence and development.
