In the forthcoming months, there will be a collaboration between the United States and China concerning the security of artificial intelligence systems, as stated by the top science advisor at the White House. This marks a rare instance of cooperation between these two influential nations.
Despite the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China regarding artificial intelligence, Arati Prabhakar, the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, revealed to the Financial Times that the countries are working together to mitigate the risks associated with AI and assess its capabilities.
Prabhakar emphasized the importance of taking steps to engage in this collaborative effort, highlighting the necessity of partnering with Beijing in this endeavor.
Even amidst escalating trade disputes, Prabhakar’s remarks underscore the mutual commitment of both nations to safeguard the rapidly evolving technologies.
During a conference in California, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the potential for cooperation in the field of AI. Additionally, China recently entered into the Bletchley Park agreement with the UK focusing on technological standards.
Prabhakar pointed out that AI is recognized globally as a powerful tool, with each nation striving to leverage it in alignment with their values. She advises President Biden on AI-related legislation and stresses the importance of establishing a secure and efficient technological framework, which she believes sets a solid foundation for collaboration.
Reports from the Financial Times revealed that leading US AI companies, including OpenAI, have been holding confidential meetings with experts from Taiwan to address the emerging risks associated with AI technology.
The rapid advancement of AI has raised concerns internationally about increased cyber threats and the dissemination of misinformation.
Prabhakar expressed that the current methods for evaluating the security of new AI technologies are inadequate due to the complexity and opacity of the field.
Furthermore, she highlighted the necessity for improved tools on a global scale to assess the effectiveness, safety, and ethical standards of AI models.
As the US imposes restrictions on imports of semiconductors and machinery to impede China’s technological progress in AI, there is a competitive race between leading US and Chinese tech companies to develop AI models that simulate human-like text generation.
While China emphasizes stringent regulations on AI development, the Biden administration’s executive order on AI focuses on consumer protection and regional stability.
Prabhakar stressed the importance of aligning with international standards for AI programs, emphasizing the US’s objective to steer the technology’s development rather than hinder it.
She acknowledged the critical role of precise evaluation methods in building consumer trust and fostering widespread adoption of AI technologies. Prabhakar also noted that industry leaders advocate for regulations to ensure responsible AI deployment.
According to Ryan Hass of the Brookings Institution’s China Center, cooperation on AI is not merely a gesture of goodwill but a pragmatic assessment of the evolving technological landscape.
Given the rapid pace of AI advancement, both the US and China have a vested interest in demonstrating tangible outcomes early on to validate their collaborative efforts.
