US and China Officials Convene in Geneva to Discuss AI Risks and Capabilities

On Tuesday, high-level envoys from the United States and China met in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), including the risks of the fast-evolving technology and ways to set shared standards to manage it. This meeting marks the first under an intergovernmental dialogue on AI agreed upon during a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November 2023.

Why this matters: The outcome of these discussions could shape the trajectory of AI development and deployment in the years to come, with significant implications for national security, economic competitiveness, and global governance. As AI continues to transform various aspects of life, finding common ground between the US and China will be crucial in mitigating potential risks and ensuring responsible innovation.

The meeting aims to exchange views on AI, with the US focusing on developing safe, secure, and trustworthy AI. The US government plans to outline its efforts to address possible risks from AI, including creating voluntary commitments with leading companies and requiring safety tests of AI products. The US sees China's AI efforts as potentially undermining national security, and Washington is vying to stay ahead of Beijing on the use of AI in weapons systems.

China's Foreign Ministry stated that the two sides would discuss technological risks of AI and global governance. Both countries are investing heavily in AI for civilian and military applications, but China has been "reluctant" to discuss AI risks with the US.

The US team is led by Tarun Chhabra, presidential adviser and senior director for technology and national security, and Seth Center, the US State Department's acting special envoy for critical and emerging technologies. "This is the first meeting of its kind. So, we expect to have a discussion of the full range of risks, but wouldn't prejudge any specifics at this point," a senior administration official said.

The meeting is part of a wider global effort to figure out how to rein in artificial intelligence as it rapidly advances and transforms daily life. Government leaders from several countries are expected to meet in Seoul next week for the second edition of talks on the safety of cutting-edge AI models. The US is currently seen as having a significant advantage in generative AI capabilities, but China's massive resources could allow it to surpass the US within a few years.

The talks are expected to focus on existential risks rather than mundane but significant risks faced by IT leaders, such as cross-border exchange of training data, privacy, and access to AI creations. Observers have low expectations for the talks, citing the diplomatic paradox that what works for one side is likely to be rejected by the other. "Although I'd like to be optimistic, when either country smiles and proclaims that this aspect of AI is certainly an area where both countries can work together in harmony, the other country may smile, nod, and then cross it off the list of acceptable areas for collaboration," said Brian Levine, managing partner with Ernst & Young.

The meeting between US and Chinese officials in Geneva highlights the global race to regulate AI as the technology rapidly advances. While few concrete agreements are expected, the talks represent an important first step in establishing dialogue and understanding each country's views on the risks and governance of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to transform various aspects of life, from the economy to national security, finding common ground will be crucial.

Key Takeaways

• US and China held first high-level meeting on AI in Geneva, discussing risks and shared standards.
• Outcome could shape AI development and deployment, impacting national security and economic competitiveness.
• US focuses on safe and trustworthy AI, while China is investing heavily in AI for civilian and military use.
• Meeting is part of a global effort to regulate AI, with low expectations for concrete agreements.
• Finding common ground between US and China is crucial for mitigating AI risks and ensuring responsible innovation.