Explainer

Could the U.S. and China Ever Agree on AI Guardrails?

AI competition between the United States and China is intense, but the same rivalry may create a narrow incentive for shared safety rules.

By Texas Morning Herald Global DeskAug. 25, 2026 · 3:39 p.m. UTC · 44 words · 1 min read

Several national flags flying against a cloudy sky — Illustrative editorial photograph via Unsplash. View image source.

Bill Gates believes China could follow if the United States moved first on restrictions for the most dangerous model releases.

Any agreement would likely begin with a small set of clearly defined capabilities where both sides see uncontrolled risk as worse than mutual restraint.