World News

US proposes AI safety alert mechanism in talks with China

Scott Bessent raised the incident notification plan before an upcoming Washington summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

Updated Sep 21, 2026 · 08:30 UTC4 reports

The short version

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed establishing a direct notification system with China to alert each other to major AI-related national security incidents.[Business Insider]
The plan was discussed in New York alongside framework talks to classify non-sensitive trade goods ahead of a November 10 tariff truce deadline.[Business Insider · BBC News]
China did not publicly endorse the alert mechanism in official state readouts, though both countries agreed to hold further talks on artificial intelligence.[Business Insider · NBC News · France 24]

The US proposed a direct AI safety notification channel to share information on major national security incidents involving AI.[Business Insider · NBC News · France 24]
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent raised the proposal in New York with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ahead of a Washington summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.[Business Insider · NBC News · BBC News]
Both governments agreed to meet again on the AI issue under a new dialogue framework.[Business Insider · NBC News · France 24]
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated export controls on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment were excluded from the AI discussions.[Business Insider · NBC News]
Negotiators advanced discussions on a framework to classify non-sensitive goods as the bilateral trade truce approaches its November 10 expiration date.[Business Insider · NBC News · BBC News]

It remains unconfirmed whether China will accept the proposed AI incident notification mechanism, as state media readouts did not mention the proposal.[Business Insider · NBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.