US and China can again find common ground – in AI’s risks
A former diplomat argues shared AI threats could force cooperation, just as the Soviet Union did in 1972.
Deep Dive
Bernard Chan, writing for SCMP, reports from a Zurich forum where a former diplomat proposed that the existential risks of advanced AI (like uncontrolled AGI) could serve as a modern equivalent to the Soviet threat. This shared strategic concern, which drove US-China dialogue in 1972, might compel today's rivals to cooperate on global AI governance and safety standards, moving beyond current trade and tech wars.
Why It Matters
Bilateral cooperation on AI safety could prevent a dangerous arms race and establish crucial global rules for frontier models.