Ahead of a Trump-Xi meeting, informal US-China talks on AI risks are gaining momentum

Artificial intelligence is set to be among the topics discussed when President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping hold their upcoming meeting. Ahead of that encounter, a broader, informal process is already underway, involving dialogues hosted by think tanks and universities that bring together experts from both the United States and China.

This kind of informal engagement outside official government channels is commonly referred to as "track two" diplomacy. It typically involves academics, researchers and other specialists who do not directly represent their governments but can exchange views and help lay groundwork for future official discussions.

Shared risks, possible solutions

According to the report, these dialogues are focused on the risks posed by artificial intelligence that are shared by both countries, as well as on potential paths forward for addressing them. The network of experts involved in these discussions is described as active and currently busy, as preparations continue ahead of the anticipated leaders' meeting.

The development of artificial intelligence has become one of the central issues in relations between Washington and Beijing in recent years, given that both countries are regarded as leading players in the technology. Informal talks among experts can serve as an additional channel for discussing sensitive issues at times when official diplomacy between the two nations may be more difficult.

The report does not specify an exact date for the Trump-Xi meeting, but it indicates that artificial intelligence will hold a notable place on the agenda alongside other bilateral topics.