USA and China agree on AI communication channel and coal imports

The US and China want to establish a direct communication channel for incidents involving artificial intelligence. In addition, both countries agreed to a “US-Chinese dialogue on superintelligence” during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington. The White House announced on Friday (local time) that both sides wanted to exchange ideas about the opportunities and risks of the technology.

Chinese state television confirmed the establishment of the communication channel. The two countries are responding to international calls for closer exchange. UN Secretary General António Guterres, among others, called on the USA and China to engage in dialogue about the future of technology. He referred to communication channels between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War that became known as the Red Telephone. A few days ago, the New York Times reported on plans for a “red phone of the AI ​​age.”

The White House statement said both sides would use the term “superintelligence” instead of artificial intelligence in the future. US President Donald Trump had already spoken of “superintelligence” at the UN general debate on Tuesday. “Superintelligence” sounds “much better” and is “much more appropriate” given the great opportunities offered by technology, Trump said. At the same time, he opposed international rules for controlling technology.

AI, coal and pandas

Before the meeting, the US President announced that AI would be "a big topic of discussion, but I want everything to stay exactly as it is." That is also Beijing's position, he added. China's President Xi Jinping, on the other hand, said that the USA and China had "the responsibility to develop and manage AI for the public good and to ensure that its development always remains under human control."

The White House also said on Friday that during the visit, China agreed to import at least 10 million tons of coal from the United States in 2027 and 2028. In addition, both sides agreed on better customs conditions for “non-sensitive” goods. According to the statement, a US zoo will also receive two pandas from China.

Trump had previously rated the three-day state visit as successful. The meeting was “very positive for both countries,” he told journalists. Trump and Xi confirmed that they would meet again at the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, in November and at the G20 summit in Miami in December.