U.S. Proposes AI Safety Notification System Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
The United States has proposed a new AI safety notification system as part of ongoing talks with China, aiming to increase transparency between the world’s two leading AI powers. The proposal was discussed during recent meetings intended to prepare for a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. “We think that, just like with any cross-border activity, that moving from opaque to more transparency between the number one and the number two AI powers in the world is very important,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the conclusion of the talks. He emphasized that both sides should have a way to communicate over “common goals and common threats.”
While no other major agreements were announced, Chinese state media reported that China and the U.S. had “frank, in-depth, and constructive exchanges” on important economic and trade matters, including dialogue on issues related to artificial intelligence. The discussions also touched on Washington’s concerns over supplies of rare-earth magnets and other critical minerals used in industries ranging from cars to advanced semiconductors. Despite the lack of a breakthrough, experts see the continued dialogue as a positive step. “One or two meetings cannot resolve every issue, but the fact that both sides agreed to continue the dialogue is significant,” said George Chen, a partner and chair in digital practice at The Asia Group consultancy in Hong Kong.
Chen noted that future sessions are expected to tackle more sensitive topics such as the weaponisation of AI, principles for AI safety, protection of critical infrastructure, and cyberattack prevention. However, he cautioned that prospects for cooperation on AI remain limited due to the low level of trust between both countries and Beijing’s perception that Washington seeks to contain China’s AI development. The proposed notification system, if implemented, could mark a first step toward reducing misunderstandings and managing risks in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
Shimanta Das 
