US President Donald Trump has announced his opposition to closer cooperation between the United States and China concerning artificial intelligence (AI) risks. He stressed that the US should concentrate on maintaining its technological superiority rather than collaborating with Beijing. During an event on AI at the White House, Trump claimed, “Whoever wins superintelligence wins. You’re gonna have a winner and a loser, and you’re probably not gonna have a second place.” This statement reflects his concern over sharing expertise with China.

Concerns Over National Security and Collaboration

Trump highlighted that the US currently leads China in AI capabilities and posited that a partnership with China could jeopardise this advantage. He reiterated that maintaining this lead is essential, stating, “We’re leading now over China and everyone else, and I want to keep it that way. The only way you can keep it that way is to do exactly what we’re doing right now.” His remarks come amid growing calls for collaboration between Washington and Beijing to address AI risks, particularly following issues involving US firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic.

Experts have raised alarms about advanced AI systems potentially being exploited for cyberattacks or bioweapons creation. In this context, Trump expressed that he did not desire a “joint venture” with Beijing that might lead to sharing sensitive technological secrets. He emphasised the importance of self-regulation among AI companies and referred to existing safeguards offered by US institutions, including the Department of Justice and the FBI.

Voluntary Safety Agreement Among Tech Companies

In conjunction with his statements, Trump announced a voluntary safety agreement involving six major tech firms: Google, Nvidia, Anthropic, OpenAI, Meta Platforms, and SpaceXAI. The agreement, named the White House Accord on Super Intelligence, is aimed at reinforcing safety protocols around advanced AI technologies. Trump shared the details of this two-page document on Truth Social, labelling it “morally binding.”

The accord requires participating companies to implement multiple levels of controls and audits. These measures are intended to establish internal systems that can prevent AI models from engaging in “unintended” hacking. Furthermore, companies must collaborate with external auditors to ensure that these control mechanisms are effective. Regular meetings are mandated to discuss safety practices, though specifics regarding their frequency have not been disclosed.

This agreement follows a recent interaction between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they concurred on creating an AI incident notification hotline and carrying on with discussions surrounding AI risks. Future negotiations are reportedly scheduled for November in Shenzhen, although specific topics for discussion remain undisclosed.

Revised Terminology and Public Concerns

In a further effort to emphasise the significance of AI advancements, Trump also signed an executive order directing federal agencies to adopt the term “superintelligence” or SI in official communications, believing it to be a more accurate description of the technology’s potential. This shift in nomenclature accompanies rising public anxieties regarding the infrastructure that supports AI systems.

A recent poll conducted by The New York Times in collaboration with Siena University revealed that 61 per cent of likely voters opposed the construction of data centres designed to support AI initiatives. This growing concern highlights the challenges faced by the administration as it navigates the complexities of technological progress while addressing public apprehensions.

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