‘Silent Cold War’: Why calls to slow AI have sparked new US–China frontier | Explainer News
China Responds to AI Safety Concerns Amid U.S. Warnings
China has cautioned against what it terms “fear-mongering” in light of recent comments made by the CEO of a leading American artificial intelligence (AI) company concerning the rapid advancement of AI technology. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, advocated for a slowdown in the development of powerful AI systems, citing potential catastrophic risks to humanity.
In an essay published over the weekend, Amodei called on the U.S. government to restrict the sale of advanced AI chips to China. He argued that the swift progress in AI capabilities necessitates careful management to mitigate risks. He expressed concern that, within 6 to 12 months, AI could threaten to take over the internet through the possible creation of a large-scale botnet, potentially causing significant financial damage.
Amodei’s perspective was supported by notable figures in the tech industry, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceX founder Elon Musk. They share concerns that a technological lead for China in AI could pose serious dangers to the U.S. and global stability.
In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged nations to adopt a “cooperative and inclusive” approach to AI, stating that fostering confrontation and competition disrupts global governance efforts regarding the technology. Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun highlighted that the current tensions were not beneficial for any country.
State-affiliated media in China criticized Amodei’s proposal, characterizing it as part of a broader “Cold War playbook” aimed at stifling Chinese innovation in AI.
The discourse over AI comes amid escalating competition between the U.S. and China, with both nations eager to assert their dominance in emerging technology. U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the critical stakes of AI, asserting that the country is leading in the field and dismissing calls for a slowdown as exaggerated.
Despite U.S. advantages in private investment and access to advanced semiconductors, which are essential for training cutting-edge AI models, Chinese firms have begun to demonstrate resilience. Reports indicate that Chinese AI startups are capable of developing robust models even under U.S. restrictions regarding advanced chip technology.
In January 2025, the debut of Chinese startup DeepSeek captured attention when it claimed to have developed an AI model for a fraction of the cost of its U.S. counterparts. Analysts noted the implications of such advancements as both nations vie for supremacy in the AI landscape.
The U.S. has imposed strict controls on technology transfers to China, particularly relating to semiconductors, citing concerns over military applications. Conversely, China has announced tighter export controls on rare-earth metals crucial for tech production, bolstering its strategic position in the AI supply chain.
Both countries frame their approaches to AI as responsible, yet both pursue its development for national security interests. The U.S. military has confirmed its use of AI in combat scenarios, while Chinese military researchers have reportedly utilized findings from U.S. AI developments to enhance their own capabilities.
Amid this technological arms race, experts are raising concerns about the broader implications of rapid AI development. Aya Ibrahim, a senior fellow at the AI Now Institute, noted the substantial financial pressures driving tech companies to prioritize hurried advancements, potentially overlooking critical ethical considerations.
As both nations navigate this complex landscape, the need for a balanced approach to AI governance becomes increasingly crucial.
