By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping showed apparent differences over the growing issue of artificial intelligence (AI) guardrails despite their emphasis on the need for bilateral cooperation, as they met for a summit in Washington on Thursday.
During a welcome ceremony at the White House, Xi stressed that AI should remain "under human control." Trump has opposed calls for additional AI guardrails, casting fears about AI safety as a "hoax."
The Oval Office summit between the leaders of the two superpowers came amid a debate in the United States over the pace of AI development, as concerns emerge that the advanced technology could spin out of human control and pose security and other risks.
"Both China and the United States are leading nations in artificial intelligence," Xi said.
"We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good, and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well-being of the people," he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a tour of the South Lawn of the White House in Washington with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sept. 24, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
Ahead of the meeting with Xi, Trump wrote on Truth Social that AI, which he termed "superintelligence," was a key summit topic, arguing that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) acts as the U.S. guardrail.
"A big day with President Xi of China. Super Intelligence (SI) will be a big topic of discussion, but I want to leave it exactly where it is," Trump said in the social media post. "That is China's position also. Our guardrail is the DOJ!"
During an address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said that the U.S. "totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control AI," stressing that he will not "stifle" growth of AI, which he said will be "bigger than the industrial revolution."
Reports have said that the Trump administration has proposed the establishment of a "notification mechanism" for bilateral communication to flag and discuss dangerous AI events with security implications.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
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