<p>Concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI) are growing globally, with researchers warning about systems potentially escaping human control and tech executives suggesting a slowdown in the development of advanced models. In the United States, discussions around regulation are intensifying, fueled by worries about job displacement, safety, and the concentration of wealth and power.</p>
<p>China's role is a significant factor in these discussions. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently stated that a moratorium on AI development could lead to the U.S. losing its competitive edge to China.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump, who has previously asserted that “whoever wins AI wins,” is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24, where AI is expected to be a topic of discussion. Critics suggest that Trump should reconsider his stance, which may overlook the welfare of citizens, and view the meeting as an opportunity to explore whether the AI race can proceed with some regulatory measures.</p>
<p>Billionaire Bill Gates has emerged as an advocate for caution in AI development. In a recent publication, Gates acknowledged the potential benefits of AI in fields like medicine and education but cautioned that its ability to replace human cognition could lead to significant job losses without appropriate policies in place. He proposed designating certain jobs as “Human Reserved” to protect them from automation and suggested taxing robots and AI to support a stronger social safety net.</p>
<p>This perspective aligns with historical concerns raised by the Luddites, who protested against technology that replaced skilled labor with cheaper alternatives, leading to wage depression and productivity gains favoring factory owners. The Luddites argued that technological progress should not come at the expense of workers' welfare.</p>
<p>While technological advancements have historically led to job creation and improved living standards, the rise of AI prompts a reevaluation of whether this trend will continue. Proponents of technological inevitability argue that AI will lead to job displacement but that society will adapt. However, it is essential to recognize that AI is a product of human innovation, influenced by government funding, academic research, and corporate development.</p>
<p>Expanding on Gates' ideas, a broader proposition suggests that technology should serve human welfare, and efficiency should not be the sole objective. Societies can promote beneficial technologies while also regulating their development and application to ensure they align with social values.</p>
<p>China's advancements in AI present a complex challenge. While the U.S. must maintain its technological leadership, it can do so without compromising social values or allowing dangerous applications to proliferate. Both nations face risks from unchecked AI development, including cyberattacks and military escalations, highlighting the need for international cooperation on AI governance.</p>
<p>Trump's upcoming meeting with Xi could serve as a platform to discuss mutual restrictions on certain AI capabilities, potentially leading to reciprocal agreements on managing the most hazardous applications. Gates has indicated that some level of U.S.-China collaboration will be necessary for effective AI governance.</p>
<p>The central question of the AI era is whether governments can confidently guide technological progress in ways that benefit humanity and whether the U.S. and China can recognize shared interests in this regard. To assume that there are no choices available would be a defeatist perspective.</p>
<p><em>Dan Perry, a computer scientist by education, is the former London-based Europe-Africa Editor and Cairo-based Middle East Editor of The Associated Press, chairman of the Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem and the author of two books.</em></p>