Rep. Ro Khanna is pushing for a new level of international cooperation on AI safety, calling for a potential treaty between the United States and China. The goal is to help ensure that increasingly powerful AI systems are developed and deployed with stronger safeguards.
In letters reported by The Verge, Khanna asked a US intelligence agency and major Chinese AI companies, including DeepSeek, Alibaba, and Moonshot AI, how prepared they would be for serious AI-related incidents. The questions reflect rising interest in practical readiness, not just theoretical debate.
Why this matters
AI development is global, and safety challenges do not stop at national borders. A US-China framework could encourage shared expectations around risk management, incident response, and responsible deployment of frontier AI systems.
- Global coordination: The proposal recognizes that AI safety requires cooperation among leading AI nations.
- Industry accountability: Asking companies about preparedness helps move safety from discussion to operational planning.
- Long-term impact: Even if a treaty is difficult, early diplomatic pressure can shape future norms for responsible AI.
The initiative is still at an early stage, but it is a positive sign that policymakers are looking for constructive ways to reduce AI risks while preserving the benefits of innovation.