Tech rivalry, distrust sap summit hopes for Trump-Xi AI push
US President Donald Trump will prioritize AI discussions during his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, aiming to address rising tensions over technology access and safety, though substantive commitments are unlikely. The talks follow concerns over China’s exclusion from advanced AI models like Anthropic’s Mythos and escalating US restrictions on semiconductor exports to China under the MATCH Act.
US President Donald Trump will make artificial intelligence a central focus of his upcoming talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, marking the first time AI dominates a US-China summit. Two US officials said the meeting, set for this week in Beijing, reflects the technology’s growing strategic importance, though both sides face deep distrust and limited expectations for concrete agreements. The AI rivalry between the US and China has intensified, with some comparing it to a Cold War-style arms race. Anthropic’s recent launch of the powerful Mythos model heightened concerns, particularly after China was excluded from early access. Analysts warn this exclusion could widen a ‘generational gap’ in AI defense capabilities, as Mythos reportedly uncovered thousands of vulnerabilities in global software, prompting banks and governments to bolster cybersecurity. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and White House tech advisor Michael Kratsios will join Trump’s delegation, signaling potential discussions on AI and Nvidia’s advanced H200 chips. Meanwhile, China has proposed a formal AI dialogue mechanism led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese vice-finance minister Liao Min, though skepticism remains due to the agencies’ lack of AI expertise. White House officials emphasize the need for direct communication to prevent conflicts from AI deployment. Researchers warn advanced AI could accelerate threats like bioweapons design, financial instability, and autonomous cyberattacks. A no-blame hotline for suspected AI incidents has been suggested, though past military hotlines have seen limited cooperation. Amid the rivalry, US lawmakers are pushing stricter limits on China’s access to semiconductor supply chains under the MATCH Act, despite recent easing of some export curbs. The act has drawn protests from Beijing and may resurface in summit discussions. Analysts suggest the US and China could establish guardrails for frontier AI models or reduce AI-enabled malicious activity, but progress remains elusive.
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