By day, China and the US are enemies, but at night, they are allies. This is how the two superpowers worked to reach a consensus on artificial intelligence in total secrecy and on neutral ground.
The Financial Times, speaking with a negotiator who attended the discussions and wished to remain anonymous, made this claim. The months-long, top-secret negotiations took place in Geneva. Prominent scientists, seasoned politicians, and members of North American AI groups were there on behalf of the United States. Officials from many governmental agencies and representatives from the highly esteemed University of Beijing were invited to the table from China. Beijing and Washington intelligence approved the scheduling of the sessions.
The US daily states that the participants have reached a consensus to create more advanced artificial intelligence technologies in a secure manner. Concerns about possible misinformation campaigns and hazards to societal harmony are also covered.
The Shaikh Group, a private mediation company that promotes communication between important players in conflict areas, is said to have arranged the discussions. Still, he mostly works in the Middle East and Africa. The group's CEO, Salman Shaikh, said he seized the chance to bring together important Chinese and American companies engaged in artificial intelligence. If there are many issues that the US and China cannot agree on, they have always agreed on one: the use of technology to govern society.
Some—like the government in Beijing—do it more overtly, while others—in a more understated, American-style manner—have been doing it for years.
Regardless, nothing specific about the nature of this agreement between China and the US is revealed by the negotiators' statements. Probably when it's too late, we'll know.
