Nvidia chief urges US and China to cooperate on AI safety risks

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that the chipmaker "absolutely must" collaborate with Chinese artificial intelligence firms to monitor the risks associated with the "potentially dangerous" technology. Speaking during a media briefing in London on Wednesday evening, Huang emphasized the need for joint efforts to ensure the safe advancement of AI systems.

Huang told CNBC, "We absolutely should work with each other so that we advance the technology safely." He identified "dialogue" as the primary method for engaging with Chinese counterparts, noting that he currently maintains conversations with many researchers in China. Huang advocated for the United States to lead this effort and encouraged the United Kingdom to do the same, describing the U.K. as uniquely positioned to convene these discussions due to its "intellectual capital."

The call for cooperation comes as debates over AI safety gain momentum. Researchers from major AI labs, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have recently warned of existential risks to humanity and called for a slowdown in technological development. While OpenAI's Sam Altman and Anthropic's Dario Amodei have pushed for increased regulation, Huang has positioned himself in opposition to that approach, favoring direct engagement over regulatory mandates.

This issue has become a central point of discussion between U.S. and Chinese governments, both of which are weighing how to manage the risks of rapidly advancing technology. Ahead of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the possibility of a "U.S.-China AI dialogue" with his Chinese counterpart, He Lifeng, in September. The proposed channel would address incidents "up to a national security level." A Chinese readout of the meeting indicated that President Xi stated the two nations "may have competition, but they may cooperate even more" in AI. According to the readout, Xi suggested that both sides continue their dialogue on AI to exchange views on risks and benefits while jointly preventing misuse and abuse.

Nvidia (NVDA) remains a key player in the global AI infrastructure market, with its leadership's stance on international cooperation adding a new dimension to its corporate strategy amidst heightened geopolitical scrutiny.