Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Trump and Xi Put Human-Controlled AI on White House Agenda
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met at the White House to discuss important issues between the United States and China.
Artificial intelligence was one of the main topics.
Xi said AI should be developed for good and kept under human control.
He also said it should help people.
Trump said the leaders would discuss AI, security, technology and superintelligence.
Neither leader announced a new AI agreement or explained exactly what safety rules they support.
The two countries are considering a way to warn each other about serious AI incidents.
They also have disagreements about trade, technology and security.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the United States and China should ensure AI remains under human control and serves public well-being.
President Donald Trump and Xi placed artificial intelligence and “superintelligence” on the agenda during Xi’s White House visit.
Neither leader announced an AI agreement or detailed specific rules and safeguards.
The United States proposed a notification mechanism for AI incidents that could affect national security.
The AI discussion took place alongside disputes over trade, technology, security, Taiwan and advanced-chip exports.
- Who
- United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- What
- They discussed artificial intelligence, including how it should be developed and managed, during a broader bilateral meeting.
- When
- Thursday, during Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington.
- Where
- The White House in Washington.
- Why
- To discuss AI, security, technology, trade and other areas of cooperation and disagreement between the two countries.
Human-Control and Safeguards
Existing Oversight and Limited New Rules
How AI should be governed
Human-Control and Safeguards
Xi Jinping called for both countries to develop and manage AI for good, keep it under human control and ensure it serves people.
Existing Oversight and Limited New Rules
Donald Trump said he wanted to leave AI governance where it was and identified the Department of Justice as the United States’ guardrail.
Whether to establish a joint framework
Human-Control and Safeguards
The proposed notification mechanism for AI incidents suggests support for at least some direct communication between the countries about AI-related risks.
Existing Oversight and Limited New Rules
Neither leader announced a joint AI agreement or specified new safeguards, leaving the details of future cooperation unresolved.
- AI principle stated by Xi
- AI should be developed for good, remain under human control and serve people’s well-being.
- AI agreement
- No agreement or joint AI plan was announced in the leaders’ remarks.
- Proposed mechanism
- The United States proposed a notification mechanism for AI incidents between the two countries.
- Broader agenda
- The talks also covered security, technology, trade, finance, law enforcement and economic relations.
- Trump’s position
- Trump said he wanted to leave AI governance as it was and described the Department of Justice as the United States’ guardrail.
- Trade truce
- The two sides agreed to extend a one-year trade truce by two months while seeking a longer-term arrangement.
- Remaining disagreements
- Xi wants an end to US arms sales to Taiwan and looser restrictions on advanced chips, while the two countries continue to disagree over trade and security.
