US and China Face Common Enemy in AI Threats, Not Soviet Union

This opinion piece by Thomas L. Friedman argues that the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing represents a pivotal moment in international relations, comparable to the historic 1972 Nixon-Mao meeting. While the 1972 summit forged an alliance against the Soviet Union, the current geopolitical landscape is defined by a shared threat: the destabilizing potential of artificial intelligence. Friedman highlights two major paradigm shifts since the Cold War era: the emergence of asymmetric AI tools that empower small malign actors, such as terrorists or criminals, to attack critical infrastructure, and the deep interconnectedness resulting from globalization. The article posits that despite ongoing competition, the US and China must collaborate to establish protective barriers against the malicious use of advanced AI models. Failure to address these cyber threats collectively could harm both nations and destabilize the global order. The analysis emphasizes the urgent need for joint action to mitigate risks posed by powerful AI capabilities now accessible to non-state actors.