Treasury Secretary Bessent says the U.S. is proposing a notification system with Beijing on AI risks while rejecting liability protections for tech firms.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday the United States is proposing a notification system with China on artificial intelligence, creating a mechanism for the two superpowers to communicate when AI incidents rise to a national security concern. The system, called the "U.S.-China AI dialogue," comes ahead of this week's summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Speaking to CNBC's "Squawk Box," Bessent also addressed AI safety concerns and confirmed the Trump administration will not provide a "liability shield" for AI company leaders. The dual announcements signal the administration's approach to AI governance: opening diplomatic channels with Beijing while maintaining regulatory pressure on domestic tech firms.
The proposal marks a notable shift in how the world's two largest economies handle emerging technology risks. A notification system could provide early warning on AI developments that pose potential threats to humanity, an issue that has drawn increasing attention from security experts and international bodies.
Bessent's remarks follow broader concerns about AI's rapid advancement and its potential national security implications. The Treasury Secretary's involvement in the AI dialogue suggests the administration views the technology as a cross-border economic and security challenge requiring direct superpower coordination.
Sources: 1.