As Sino-US competition intensifies, an increasing number of American experts have come to realize that it is imperative for China and the United States to strengthen cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, which is crucial for preventing Sino-US competition from slipping into conflict. A senior political scientist at the Rand Corporation, a renowned U.S. research institution, has recently called for China and the United States to seek cooperation motives in five challenging areas of artificial intelligence amidst competition.
According to China News Service, Chase (Michael Chase), who previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Affairs in the Biden administration, is now a senior political scientist at the Rand Corporation. He and Professor William Marcellino from the Rand Public Policy College recently published an article on the Rand Corporation's official website, proposing that China and the United States should seek cooperation in five aspects of General Artificial Intelligence (AGI).
They pointed out that in the Sino-US relationship characterized by strategic competition and mutual suspicion, each side's pursuit of leadership in general artificial intelligence may escalate tensions and potentially increase the risk of competition escalating into conflict. However, the emergence of general artificial intelligence could also inspire measures to reduce risks and promote cooperation. This is not only feasible but also essential. Both China and the United States desire to avoid miscalculations and misunderstandings that could lead to unnecessary wars; neither country can independently address the risks of misuse of general artificial intelligence. Progress in reducing risks or cooperation cannot be achieved naturally; it requires thoughtful and carefully planned diplomatic efforts.
They acknowledge that China and the United States view each other as the most important external actors affecting their respective AI development. The growing friction between Washington and Beijing on security, economic, and technological issues, along with both sides' extremely negative perceptions of each other's intentions, seem to drive competition between the two countries in related AI fields. However, the leaders' consensus reached during the November 2024 Sino-US summit indicates the potential for cooperation between the two countries in reducing risks related to artificial intelligence. The agreement stipulates that nuclear weapons should be controlled by humans rather than artificial intelligence. This agreement could serve as a foundation for future discussions on potential mutual constraints in the development and application of general artificial intelligence or other advanced AI capabilities.
The two experts called on the United States and its allies and partners to actively cooperate with China to jointly shape the landscape of AI competition and cooperation. They pointed out that if AI development leads to unintended escalation or miscalculation, it could trigger a crisis that neither side can control, which is not in the national interests of either China or the United States. Strategic and thoughtful engagement - balancing competition with cautious, issue-focused cooperation - may reduce the risks of strategic surprise, large-scale weapon proliferation, and catastrophic conflicts, while safeguarding American interests and global stability, and enabling the U.S. government to establish mechanisms and norms for discussions and cooperation on issues related to general artificial intelligence.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840316183977988/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.