The United States and China remain locked in an intense competition over artificial intelligence, but experts say informal discussions between specialists from both countries continue to provide an important channel for communication despite growing political tensions.
The issue is expected to draw attention as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington next week. While the summit may address a wide range of topics, analysts believe major breakthroughs on artificial intelligence are unlikely given the deep mistrust that currently shapes relations between the world’s two largest economies.
In recent weeks, tensions have increased as both governments exchanged criticism over AI development and technology policies. The Trump administration has accused Chinese artificial intelligence companies of improperly using leading American AI models to advance their own systems. U.S. officials have also warned that additional measures could be considered to protect American technology.
China has strongly rejected those accusations. Chinese officials have criticized U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors and AI-related technology, arguing that the restrictions are designed to slow China’s technological progress. Beijing has repeatedly accused Washington of pursuing policies aimed at limiting Chinese innovation.
Despite these disagreements, communication between experts from both countries has continued through what policy specialists call “Track Two” diplomacy. Unlike official government negotiations, these discussions involve researchers, former officials, academics, and policy experts who meet through universities, think tanks, and nonprofit organizations.
For decades, such dialogues have served as an informal channel for discussing sensitive issues between the United States and China. Topics have ranged from security and nuclear policy to trade, climate issues, and emerging technologies.
Sarah Beran, a former U.S. diplomat and incoming president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, said artificial intelligence has become one of the most important issues facing both countries.
According to Beran, AI presents unique challenges because each side worries about falling behind technologically while also fearing that the technology could be used as a strategic advantage by competitors. These concerns make discussions difficult but also increasingly necessary.
Experts involved in the talks say the goal is not necessarily to reach immediate agreements. Instead, the discussions help participants better understand each other’s concerns and explore areas where cooperation may still be possible.
Track Two diplomacy has occasionally helped support progress at the official level. Former policymakers note that informal exchanges have sometimes provided ideas that later shaped government discussions and negotiations.
One example involved military communications between the United States and China. After official military contacts were disrupted in 2022, experts used informal meetings to discuss possible frameworks for restoring dialogue. Those conversations later contributed to efforts that helped reopen communication channels between the two countries.
Retired Air Force General Jack Shanahan, who has participated in discussions on military applications of artificial intelligence, said years of informal exchanges also helped create conditions for an agreement that decisions involving nuclear weapons should remain under human control rather than be delegated to AI systems.
Technology specialists say discussions have become more detailed as AI capabilities advance rapidly. Samm Sacks, a technology expert at Johns Hopkins University and New America, participated in several meetings in China this year and described the exchanges as substantive and productive.
According to Sacks, the discussions allow participants to address sensitive issues more openly because they are not formal negotiations and do not require public agreements. This environment often encourages more candid conversations about risks and challenges.
Experts involved in the meetings say one common theme continues to emerge despite political disagreements. Both American and Chinese participants recognize that increasingly powerful AI systems may create significant risks if development outpaces safety measures.
Researchers from both countries have expressed concerns about security, reliability, misuse, and the broader impact of advanced artificial intelligence. While governments continue to compete over technology leadership, specialists say there is growing recognition that some AI risks could affect all countries regardless of political differences.
As Trump and Xi prepare for their upcoming meeting, expectations for major policy changes remain limited. However, ongoing expert-level dialogue suggests that communication channels remain active even during periods of heightened competition. Observers say those conversations may become increasingly important as artificial intelligence continues to reshape economic, technological, and security landscapes around the world.
