The United States and China are scheduled to hold their inaugural high-level discussions regarding the dangers posed by artificial intelligence (AI) on Tuesday in Geneva. The primary aim of these talks is to avert catastrophic accidents and unintended conflicts, particularly in the context of an arms race surrounding this emerging technology.
A senior official from the Biden administration, who spoke anonymously last week, emphasized that the talks would center on how both sides define and approach risk and safety. Leading the U.S. delegation will be Seth Center, the State Department's deputy envoy for critical and emerging technology, and Tarun Chhabra, the senior director for technology and national security at the National Security Council.
The Chinese delegation will include representatives from the Foreign Ministry and the National Development and Reform Commission.
The term "AI" encompasses a wide array of advanced computing capabilities and has become a focal point in the competition between the U.S. and China. Both nations view AI as pivotal in areas such as warfare, economic productivity, and the creation of culturally influential products. However, there are concerns regarding its potential use in disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks.
AI is particularly appealing to military and intelligence agencies due to its ability to process vast amounts of data rapidly, aiding in real-time decision-making. Previously, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on China to slow its AI development by restricting access to advanced chips.
Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu stressed that the dialogue between the U.S. and China on AI would not only affect the two nations but also have broader implications. Despite this, the Biden administration has downplayed expectations for concrete outcomes from the talks, indicating that they are not seeking a joint statement or collaboration with China on AI research.
While China's AI development lags behind that of the United States, significant progress has been made, particularly by companies like Huawei Technologies, Alibaba, and Baidu. The talks could lead to a better understanding of what constitutes acceptable military use of AI and agreements on data sharing for training AI models.
While it remains uncertain if TikTok or Huawei will be discussed, maintaining open communication is seen as crucial to prevent misunderstandings or mishaps that could escalate tensions. As AI continues to evolve, concerns persist regarding data security, military accidents, and ethical considerations surrounding its use, including recent controversies such as the Israeli army's use of AI algorithms to identify bombing targets in Gaza.