About two years ago, education entrepreneur Boris But realized his company needed to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) before it became irrelevant. His clients—wealthy parents wanting to send their children abroad—had started using AI chatbots for advice and information, reducing their reliance on traditional companies. In response, But began creating his own AI study tool, saying, “If you can't beat them, join them.” The race for AI supremacy is heating up, with China and the United States as the top contenders. While U.S. models are currently considered more advanced, the gap is closing fast. Recently, a sense of unease has spread in Silicon Valley, where experts warn of potential dangers from advanced AI systems becoming too powerful to control. Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, recently called for a global slowdown in the development of cutting-edge AI, suggesting that international cooperation—especially with China—is essential. However, Chinese officials have been resistant to such proposals, viewing AI as a key national priority. Lian Jye Su from Omdia, a tech research firm, noted that China sees AI as a matter of sovereignty and will not slow down progress just to meet U.S. demands. Amodei specifically mentioned China when advocating for stricter export controls on advanced chips and machinery. China’s foreign ministry responded by criticizing such fears as unnecessary and harmful to global AI governance efforts. Despite these differences, there is some common ground between U.S. and Chinese approaches to AI safety. China recently updated its AI safety governance framework, outlining risks such as AI agents, cybersecurity threats, and the hypothetical scenario of AI improving itself without human input. Gabriel Wagner from Concordia, a Beijing-based AI safety consultancy, said the framework helps map out AI risks and what should be done about them. While U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns about AI wiping out humanity as a "hoax," the upcoming meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to include AI on the agenda. However, analysts doubt major breakthroughs will be reached soon. China has been proactive in regulating AI while also promoting its growth. The Communist Party ensures AI development stays within state-defined boundaries, and local governments are offering incentives to tech companies. Meanwhile, factories across China are being encouraged to adopt AI to modernize their operations. In daily life, AI is already widely used, from digital health services to AI-powered chatbots mimicking doctors. People in China tend to view AI as a practical tool rather than a distant threat, even as concerns about job displacement and misinformation exist. The consensus seems to be that China must continue advancing in AI, not slow down.