AI Agents Are Hacking Systems. Could That Push the US and China to Cooperate?
This podcast episode explores the potential for US-China cooperation on AI safety as both nations face shared risks from advanced AI agents. Experts suggest that the existential threats posed by AI vulnerabilities may force the two geopolitical rivals to collaborate despite ongoing trade and technology restrictions.
Why it matters
The intersection of geopolitical competition and AI safety is critical, as the global nature of AI risks necessitates international standards and cooperation.
The AI race has long been framed as a zero-sum game: either the US or China will win at the end. But as concerns pile up around the increasing capabilities of AI models—especially AI agents—researchers in both countries are trying to team up to work on AI safety. This week, Zoë Schiffer speaks with senior writer Will Knight about what he saw and heard on the ground when he visited China this summer—and why the two countries might actually need to start working together to avoid a major AI catastrophe.
The content presents a balanced view of the US-China AI race, acknowledging both the competitive tension and the emerging necessity for safety-focused collaboration.
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