The United States and China will launch a dialogue on the safe use of artificial intelligence on Tuesday, senior administration officials said, as part of efforts to facilitate candid discussions on new global challenges despite disputes over security, trade and many other issues.
The first meeting between the two governments to focus on emerging risks associated with advanced AI will be held in Geneva, according to the U.S. officials, who spoke to the press on condition of anonymity.
One of them said, "The talks are not going to be focused on any particular deliverables, but rather an exchange of views on the technical risks of AI and an opportunity to directly communicate on respective areas of concern."
The official underscored that the dialogue is not aimed at promoting any form of technical collaboration, given that the United States and its allies remain concerned that China's rapid development of AI capabilities for civilian and military purposes could undermine their national security.
In addition to sharing views on potential AI risks, senior officials of the two countries are expected to explain their respective domestic approaches to addressing them, including norms and principles for using the new technology safely.
The launch of such a dialogue was agreed on during the first in-person meeting in a year between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.
When the presidents met near San Francisco, they agreed to increase the lines of communication and take a range of other steps to lower the temperature in the rivalry between the world's two largest economies.
