US Media Reports US and China Discussing AI Security Threat 'Hotline' Agreement

Attention is focused on whether the upcoming US-China summit, just three days away, will announce the establishment of a direct communication "hotline" between the two countries to respond to accidents or crises related to artificial intelligence (AI) that threaten national security.

Fox Business reported on the 21st (local time), citing multiple sources, that the two countries have discussed a high-level AI-related agreement containing such measures, and US President Donald Trump is scheduled to receive a briefing on it.

While specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed, it is reportedly known to include measures for a joint response to the recently emerging scenario of "human extinction caused by AI."

Fox Business stated that the purpose appears to be immediate action in the event that AI independently carries out hacking, causes military-level security threats, or goes beyond human control.

It is similar in concept to the direct communication lines established between the commanders-in-chief of nuclear-armed states to prevent nuclear war, aiming to create a contact system where either side can directly connect with the other if an AI-related issue arises.

Currently, the United States, which leads in AI technology development, and China, which is closely pursuing it, are places where AI is correspondingly likely to pose unpredictable risks.

The Associated Press described it as a "new notification mechanism for AI incidents that could affect national security," while the online media outlet Axios evaluated it as a "way for the world's top two AI superpowers to communicate regarding potentially dangerous incidents."

The agreement was reportedly proposed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a preliminary meeting held the previous day in New York with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to coordinate summit agendas.

Following the meeting with Vice Premier He, Secretary Bessent told reporters, "Just like any cross-border activity, I think it is very important to move from opacity to greater transparency between the world's number one and number two AI superpowers."

On the US side, final approval from President Trump remains.

On the Chinese side, it has not been confirmed how Vice Premier He responded or whether it was reported to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported only that Secretary Bessent and Vice Premier He "also talked about AI-related issues" without mentioning specific details.

If the US and China announce the establishment of an AI risk notification hotline, it could be interpreted that both governments, which have vied for technological hegemony, recognize its risks and share an understanding that minimum contingency plans must be established.

Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, appeared on Fox News the previous day and emphasized regarding AI technology safety that "we must remember the US government has the means to deal with problems when they arise."

However, it remains uncertain whether President Trump, who has dismissed arguments for slowing down while insisting that the US must win the AI supremacy race, will accept this.

Since the installation of a hotline is a matter that requires mutual agreement, the possibility of President Xi accepting it in this case is also considered small.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.