UN Urges US-China AI Cooperation Ahead of Washington Summit

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the United States and China to establish channels for transparency and cooperation to manage the existential risks of artificial intelligence. Guterres compared the current necessity for dialogue to the strategic risk management between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War.

This appeal follows a proposal from former National Security Advisor Susan Rice, who suggested a diplomatic moonshot in which both nations freeze AI development. Rice warned that the exponential growth toward super intelligence could allow terrorists to deploy biological weapons or cyber attacks, potentially resulting in a loss of human control.

The push for cooperation comes as President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping prepare for a summit in Washington this Thursday. While leaders from over 20 countries have advocated for binding safety measures, both the U.S. and China have declined to sign them. Trump has vowed to protect the AI industry from what he describes as unjustified fears that could lead to its destruction.

Diplomatic efforts are already underway, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reporting a successful eight-hour meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday. The officials discussed trade and AI threats as the two superpowers seek a communication channel for AI concerns.