When Trump and Xi meet they will discuss AI. 'Track Two' talks are already buzzing
Informal dialogues between U.S. and Chinese AI experts, held through think tanks and universities, are laying groundwork for higher-level government discussions on shared AI risks. These so-called Track Two talks are running alongside expectations that AI will feature in direct talks between President Trump and President Xi.
Why this matters: When the two biggest AI powers talk, the rest of the world is essentially watching from outside the room. Track Two conversations matter because they are where the actual ideas get tested before they reach diplomats. The hard part is not getting experts to meet. It is agreeing on what counts as dangerous, who enforces any rules, and whether either government will follow through. The stakes are real: AI systems developed without any shared guardrails between the U.S. and China could create risks that affect everyone, not just the countries building them.
Who should care: General readers · AI governance · Policy
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