Artificial general intelligence could spark conflict between the U.S. and China

A former White House adviser warned of the potential dangers of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) and the risk of an arms race with China. According to him, the pursuit of control of AGI may lead to international conflicts. Experts fear that China could react aggressively to a U.S. attempt to monopolize the technology.

The information was published by UOL on March 9, 2025, in the article A Inteligência Artificial Geral está chegando? É difícil ter certeza (Is artificial general intelligence coming? It is hard to be sure; in Portuguese). The article cites a document published by experts, including the former adviser, detailing concerns about the AI arms race.

Artificial general intelligence differs from today’s AIs in its ability to perform any human intellectual task. This technological advance represents a potential leap in the development of many areas, but also raises concerns about its misuse, especially in conflict scenarios.

The document suggests that a U.S. attempt to exclusively control AGI could provoke an aggressive Chinese response, such as a large-scale cyberattack. The experts argue that competition over AGI could destabilize international relations and increase the likelihood of conflict.

The concern lies in the possibility that AGI could be used to develop autonomous weapons and sophisticated cyberattacks, which could quickly escalate into direct confrontation. The experts advocate international cooperation to ensure the safe and ethical development of AGI.