Leading scholars and technology industry figures said the US and China should work together. They called for stronger safety guardrails for artificial intelligence. The comments came at the FutureChina Business Forum in Singapore. The speakers warned that rapid AI advances could create new risks. Jude Blanchette, managing director at Macro Advisory Partners, urged both countries to find common ground. He said cooperation remains important despite wider geopolitical tensions. Blanchette pointed to shared concerns about emerging technologies. These concerns include artificial intelligence and robotics. He argued that technology is changing the global environment at a rapid speed. New technologies could also influence economic and political power.
AI development is moving quickly
Artificial intelligence has advanced rapidly in recent years. New AI systems can perform more complex tasks than earlier tools. The US and China remain major forces in this development. Their technology sectors continue to push AI research and applications forward. The growing competition has also increased attention on potential risks. Governments and technology companies face questions about how AI should be controlled. Experts now say safety measures need to develop alongside AI capabilities. This could help reduce risks linked to increasingly powerful systems.
China and the US are racing ahead on AI while facing different political and economic conditions. Their competition is part of a wider global technology shift.
US-China tensions add challenges
Cooperation on AI faces difficulties because relations between Washington and Beijing remain tense. Technology has become an important part of broader US-China competition. At the same time, AI risks can affect countries beyond the two major powers. Advanced systems could influence businesses, workers, governments and societies worldwide. This creates a need for communication between major AI powers. Shared safety standards could provide a way to address some risks.
However, cooperation does not mean that competition will end. Both countries are expected to continue developing their AI capabilities.
Focus turns to managing AI risks
The Singapore forum highlighted the challenge facing the global technology sector. AI development is moving quickly, while rules and safety measures must keep pace. The discussion also showed why international cooperation remains part of the AI debate. Shared risks could require countries to communicate even during periods of tension. China and the US are racing ahead on AI, but managing the technology’s risks is becoming an equally important issue. The debate over AI safety is likely to continue as systems become more advanced.
For now, experts are calling for stronger guardrails and greater cooperation. Their focus remains on reducing risks while allowing AI technology to develop.
Read more about China’s first AI talks with the US.