Driverless cars and robot athletes: How does China feel about the safety of AI?

In China, the debate over AI safety is intense, with the government emphasizing the potential threat to political and social order. Chinese President Xi has raised the issue multiple times, focusing on ensuring AI technology remains safe for humans. The country has strict safety protocols for autonomous vehicles and trucks, which influence the approach of Chinese tech companies like Pony.Ai. While American companies are concerned about AI becoming uncontrollable, Donald Trump has dismissed the need for regulatory guardrails, suggesting AI should be rebranded as "Super Intelligence." The competition between the US and China on AI is seen as healthy, with Chinese companies leveraging their strong electric car industry to grow.

Pony.Ai operates in several countries, including Luxembourg and Croatia, and aims to expand to the UK. The company's driverless taxis are a physical example of the challenge of making AI safe for humans. The AI driver in a driverless car makes decisions that affect safety, highlighting the need for reliable and predictable AI. The article notes that while AI safety is a key concern in both countries, the US emphasizes preventing AI from turning on its creators, whereas China focuses on maintaining social order. The article does not provide specific numbers or details on the extent of the competition or the exact outcomes of the upcoming talks between Trump and Xi. The discussion around AI safety is complex, with both nations seeking to balance innovation and control.

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