U.S., China Consider Restarting AI Talks To Reduce Escalation Risks

The United States and China are considering resuming discussions on AI safeguards to reduce the risk of escalation (photo credit: The White House).

U.S., China Consider Restarting AI Talks To Reduce Escalation Risks

Clayton Rifkind May 7, 2026

Potential discussions would focus on limiting the use of AI in military and high-risk scenarios.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States and China are considering restarting formal discussions on AI safeguards to reduce the risk of unintended escalation. The Journal reported that officials are exploring guardrails to prevent AI systems from triggering or accelerating military or geopolitical crises.

If the talks materialize, they could build on the 2023 meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping, which led to initial agreements on AI risk management, including a commitment that only humans retain control over nuclear weapons decisions.

The discussions are still being considered for the upcoming meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping.

The renewed interest comes amid broader tensions between the two countries, including disputes over semiconductor export controls and access to advanced AI systems.

Clayton Rifkind

Clayton Rifkind is the Founder and Senior Editor of AI Risk Today. He also advises on business development for ESG Today, a leading source of ESG investment news and research for institutional investors and corporate leaders. He has 20+ years of experience in B2B technology, leading strategy and execution of go-to-market plans across software, enterprise platforms, and mobile applications. He founded two consultancies advising startups and Fortune 1000 companies, including Autodesk, Intel, and Microsoft. He began his career in the San Francisco advertising scene working with brands such as Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Symantec, and Wells Fargo. Clayton launched AI Risk Today in 2025 after two decades of watching enterprises adopt transformative technologies, and seeing how often risk, governance, and compliance considerations lagged behind. His reporting draws on primary sources including regulatory filings, court documents, and official announcements, with a focus on what AI developments mean for the executives accountable for managing them. Reach him at Reach him at [email protected] or on LinkedIn.

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