As AI leaders warn of catastrophe, US and China shun slowdown calls

As industry leaders urge a global slowdown in artificial intelligence development for the sake of humanity, the two superpowers driving the technology’s rapid advancement have given no indication they intend to hit the brakes. The United States and China, which are locked in a fierce strategic rivalry, have each rebutted calls to slow the pace of AI development, even as industry executives and researchers stress the need for international cooperation to avoid exposing humans to catastrophic – or even existential – risks. As US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare to meet on Wednesday in Washington, DC, for the third time this year, expectations for cooperation on AI safety are modest.