U.S. and China discuss channel for serious AI incidents

U.S. and Chinese officials have discussed creating a channel to notify each other about serious artificial intelligence incidents, as President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet with AI competition and safety on the agenda. The proposal remains under discussion; the available reporting does not establish that China has accepted it or that the leaders have reached an agreement. Ahead of the summit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng discussed the proposed notification mechanism. It could provide a way for the governments to communicate about significant AI-related problems, including incidents with national security implications. The terms and scope of any channel have not been confirmed. The discussions come amid a broader contest over AI leadership. Trump has described the competition as primarily between the United States and China, saying, “Whoever wins AI, wins.” Xi has positioned AI as important to China’s economic and geopolitical strategy, while Chinese officials have called for cooperation in global AI governance.