Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the U.S. and China share a responsibility to ensure artificial intelligence remains under human control. This remark came during discussions with President Donald Trump at the White House, where Trump promoted the concept of super intelligence.

Xi emphasized that both nations possess the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good. He insisted that AI development must always serve the well-being of people and remain subject to human oversight. Trump acknowledged that AI would feature prominently in their bilateral discussions, noting that decisions made today could promote peace and prosperity for decades.

Regulatory approaches diverge

Trump continues to oppose a broad new AI regulatory regime, favoring existing Justice Department powers instead. In a Truth Social post, he stated that the DOJ serves as the primary guardrail against misuse without slowing technological development. At the United Nations General Assembly, Trump argued against stifling growth in a sector he described as bigger than the Industrial Revolution.

The U.S. administration has also shifted terminology, with Trump advocating for the use of "Super Intelligence" over "Artificial Intelligence." He argued that the term artificial makes the technology sound fake, reflecting a broader narrative on the transformative potential of advanced AI systems.

Bilateral dialogue formalized

This meeting follows a new effort to formalize bilateral AI discussions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that U.S. and Chinese officials agreed to establish a dialogue on AI dangers and communication protocols. A subsequent meeting is expected in Shenzhen in roughly two months to continue these strategic conversations.

Global safeguards gain momentum

Calls for international cooperation intensified this week as industry leaders addressed global risks. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told the UN Security Council that countries need international safeguards as AI systems become more capable. Xi’s emphasis on human control aligns with Beijing’s repeated calls for international coordination, although China opposes technology restrictions it views as constraints on development.

What the numbers show

The divergence in regulatory philosophy is stark: Xi advocates for structural international governance and human control, while Trump relies on domestic enforcement via the Department of Justice. This contrast highlights a fundamental tension between coordinated global safety protocols and unilateral national security enforcement in the development of advanced AI systems.