China Isn’t Buying Silicon Valley’s Call for an AI Slowdown
Despite shared concern between the US and China about the risks of advanced AI, Beijing has shown little interest in international agreements that would slow AI development if those agreements primarily benefit American companies. The strategic distrust runs deeper than the technical risks both sides acknowledge.
Why this matters: Any real global AI safety deal requires China at the table. That is not optional. If the two biggest AI powers cannot agree on slowdowns or guardrails, the argument that the industry can self-regulate or that governments will coordinate becomes much harder to believe. Beijing's position is not irrational. A deal that freezes the current pecking order looks like a win for whoever is already ahead. Until the US can offer something that does not just protect its own lead, expect China to keep building. The safety conversation stays mostly performative without them.
Who should care: General readers · AI governance · Policy
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