Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the United States and China to ensure that artificial intelligence remains under human control and serves the public good during his White House summit with US President Donald Trump on Thursday.

“Both China and the United States are leading nations in Artificial Intelligence. We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well-being of the people," Xi said during his remarks at the White House.

AI emerged as a key issue in the latest US-China engagement, alongside trade, technology, Taiwan and broader security concerns. However, neither leader announced a new AI agreement or a specific regulatory framework during their public remarks.

Xi’s comments came against the backdrop of Trump’s position before the meeting. Trump had said “Super Intelligence" would be a major topic of discussion but that he wanted to “leave it exactly where it is", adding: “That is China’s position also. Our guardrail is the DOJ!"

The issue has gained importance as US and Chinese companies race to develop more advanced AI systems. US technology leaders had called for greater attention to AI safety just days before the summit. Washington and Beijing have also started discussions on ways to communicate about potentially serious AI incidents. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington had proposed a notification mechanism for national-security-related AI incidents between the two countries.

Xi also stressed the need for continued dialogue despite differences between the two countries’ political and economic systems.

“China and the United States are different in national conditions, but through candid, in-depth, and continued dialogue, our two countries can understand each other better, seek common ground while shelving differences, and build up mutual trust," Xi said.

He also pointed to the deep economic links between the two countries. “The interests of China and the United States are deeply intertwined."

“China-US cooperation may not solve every problem in the world, but without our cooperation, it would be hard to solve many of the world’s problems," he added.

Trump highlighted his relationship with Xi during the state visit. At the White House, he described it as a “truly great friendship" based on “mutual respect and the vital interests of our people". He also said the two countries had made progress on trade and market access.

Xi’s visit marks his first state visit to Washington in more than a decade. It is also his second meeting with Trump this year. The visit follows months of tensions over tariffs, critical minerals, technology restrictions and Taiwan, while both sides have worked to extend a trade truce.

The White House state dinner later brought together several major US technology and business figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Google’s Sundar Pichai, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Michael Dell and Apple executive chairman Tim Cook.

The dinner took place in the East Room as Trump’s planned new White House ballroom remains under construction. The menu combined American ingredients with Chinese influences. The opening toast featured Schramsberg “Blanc De Noir", the same American sparkling wine linked to the historic 1972 Nixon-Zhou “Toast to Peace".

Trump said during his dinner toast, “As the leaders of our two nations, President Xi and I both understand we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure, and we’ve never gotten along better," Trump said. “Together, we can continue to build a relationship that promotes prosperity and security for future generations."

Xi said the talks had produced a “common understanding on many issues" and given “new substance" and “new strategic guidance" to bilateral ties. He also called on both countries to write “a new chapter in our friendly relations".