Ex-US diplomats say ongoing talks on artificial intelligence risks with China provide valuable insights into Beijing's advances and vulnerabilities, supporting American national security.
Jeannette Chu, who served as senior export control attaché at the US embassy in Beijing from 2005 to 2010, spoke at an Asia Society event in San Francisco on Thursday. She described dialogue on artificial intelligence as a means of “self-preservation from a national security standpoint” for the United States.
Chu said continued discussions allow Washington to monitor China’s progress in the technology. “It’s really important that we keep talking because it’s … how we get visibility into where China is going [with AI], how are they doing it, what are their successes and failures,” she said.
She added that cutting off communication would limit US understanding of China’s capabilities. “Do you want to be shut out of what they’re doing … [so] you’re cutting yourself off from the ability … to understand [their] vulnerabilities, much less how to exploit it?” Chu stated.
Former officials indicated that even basic exchanges on AI risks would advance US interests by offering insight into Beijing’s developments.
