Promising Topics for U.S.-China Dialogues on AI Risks and Governance

2025-05-12

AI Summary

Amid escalating U.S.–China geopolitical tensions, divergent AI risk perceptions and governance approaches impede global AI cooperation. Method: Drawing on the AGORA framework, this study develops an innovative cross-lingual, bidirectional policy comparison methodology to systematically analyze over 40 AI-related policy documents and corporate governance frameworks from both countries. Contribution/Results: The analysis identifies substantial convergence across six thematic areas—algorithmic transparency, system reliability, multi-stakeholder governance, AI-enabled security, and others—quantified via thematic convergence metrics as strong or moderate consensus domains. Based on these findings, the study proposes an actionable bilateral dialogue prioritization framework. This framework offers empirically grounded, pragmatic pathways to overcome strategic mistrust and advance coordinated evolution of global AI governance.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Human-AI Collaboration / Human-AI Teaming
• Philosophy and Ethics of AI: Safety, Robustness & Trustworthiness
• Game Theory and Economic Paradigms: Coordination and Collaboration

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Security and privacy of machine learning and AI applications
• Social Networks and Social Media: Generative AI / large language models and their impact on social systems
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics

Abstract

Cooperation between the United States and China, the world's leading artificial intelligence (AI) powers, is crucial for effective global AI governance and responsible AI development. Although geopolitical tensions have emphasized areas of conflict, in this work, we identify potential common ground for productive dialogue by conducting a systematic analysis of more than 40 primary AI policy and corporate governance documents from both nations. Specifically, using an adapted version of the AI Governance and Regulatory Archive (AGORA) - a comprehensive repository of global AI governance documents - we analyze these materials in their original languages to identify areas of convergence in (1) sociotechnical risk perception and (2) governance approaches. We find strong and moderate overlap in several areas such as on concerns about algorithmic transparency, system reliability, agreement on the importance of inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement, and AI's role in enhancing safety. These findings suggest that despite strategic competition, there exist concrete opportunities for bilateral U.S.-China cooperation in the development of responsible AI. Thus, we present recommendations for furthering diplomatic dialogues that can facilitate such cooperation. Our analysis contributes to understanding how different international governance frameworks might be harmonized to promote global responsible AI development.

Problem

• Identifying common ground for U.S.-China AI governance cooperation
• Analyzing AI policy documents to find risk and governance overlaps
• Recommending diplomatic dialogues to foster responsible AI development

Innovation

• Systematic analysis of AI policy documents
• Adapted AI Governance and Regulatory Archive
• Identified convergence in risk and governance