Developing Story
AI 'Pacing Problem' — US-China AI Race Dynamics
A developing geopolitical and policy narrative examining whether safety-driven calls to slow AI development ('pacing') can overcome competitive US-China AI race dynamics, discussed against the backdrop of a US-China summit and public AI safety debates.
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## Overview
The "pacing problem" refers to growing calls from leading US AI executives for a deliberate slowdown ("pacing") in AI development, driven by safety concerns, even as competitive race dynamics with China make unilateral slowdown difficult (SCMP, September 23).
## Key Developments
- SCMP's series examines what's behind US AI giants' calls for pacing and how the concept is viewed in China, amid a broader backdrop of a US-China summit in Washington aimed at "constructive strategic stability" (SCMP, September 23).
- This narrative intersects with ongoing public debate over AI safety, exemplified by NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's public pushback against AI "doomer" predictions, arguing that past predictions of AI-driven job elimination (e.g., radiologists) have proven wrong (YouTube/Jensen Huang remarks, September 23).
## Why It Matters
The tension between AI safety advocacy and competitive national-security race dynamics is a recurring, strategically important theme likely to resurface around major US-China diplomatic events, export control decisions, and AI policy debates.
## Strategic Relevance
Relevant to technology policy, export controls, and national security law practices tracking how geopolitical competition shapes (or undermines) AI safety governance efforts.