BEIJING: China has accused major US technology companies of trying to start a “silent AI Cold War” as concerns grow over the rapid development of advanced artificial intelligence.
The warning came from China’s state-backed Global Times on Monday.
The publication reacted after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for a slowdown in the development of increasingly powerful AI systems.
Amodei Calls for AI Development Speed Limit
Amodei has argued that AI companies should slow frontier AI development to give safety measures enough time to catch up.
He believes AI capabilities are advancing rapidly and could create risks if safety research fails to keep pace.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk have also backed the proposal as concerns increase over the ability to control future AI systems.
However, China has questioned the motives behind the calls for slower development.
China Questions US Motives
Amodei has also urged Washington to impose tighter restrictions on advanced AI chips being exported to China.
He has further called for action against Chinese companies that allegedly use American AI models to improve their own systems.
The Global Times argued that these policies could weaken China’s AI industry while helping the United States maintain its technological advantage.
The publication described the approach as a “Cold War playbook”.
It also accused Washington of attempting to prevent China from having a role in shaping global AI governance.
AI Race Creates Strategic Concerns
Slowing AI development could give researchers more time to address safety and control challenges.
However, a slowdown could also create strategic risks if US companies reduce development while Chinese companies continue at the same pace.
The United States could potentially lose its lead in advanced AI technology.
US President Donald Trump has shown little interest in accepting that possibility.
“We’re leading China in AI,” Trump said on Sunday.
“Whoever wins AI wins,” he added.
China Calls for International Cooperation
China has argued that countries should cooperate on artificial intelligence rather than turn the technology into another source of geopolitical conflict.
The disagreement comes as Washington and Beijing compete for leadership in advanced AI, semiconductor technology and computing infrastructure.
US and Chinese officials are expected to discuss frontier AI safety risks this month.
The issue could also feature in talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two leaders are expected to meet on September 24.
The discussions could offer an early indication of whether the two countries can cooperate on AI safety while continuing their wider technological competition.
