US, China gear up for mid-September AI safety talks

The United States and China are preparing for bilateral discussions focused on artificial intelligence safety risks slated for mid-September, according to sources briefed on the planning. The meetings mark the first official bilateral talks dedicated exclusively to AI between the two nations since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office for a second term. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to lead the American delegation, while Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng or Politburo Standing Committee member Ding Xuexiang may lead for China. Washington plans to propose joint monitoring mechanisms for AI-driven cyberattacks and address concerns regarding the alleged distillation of U.S. models by Chinese firms. Meanwhile, the White House stated that no formal AI meeting is currently scheduled for mid-September, though discussions coincide with preparations for a leaders' summit in Washington later in the month. Both governments face mounting pressure to establish communication channels amid incidents involving autonomous agent swarms.