Trump says Xi 'seemed to like' his new name for AI

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump claimed Chinese President Xi Jinping “seemed to like” his proposed new name for artificial intelligence, calling it “super intelligence” after their White House meeting.

Trump has argued that the technology is poorly and inaccurately named, proposing “super intelligence” as a more accurate and important alternative.

The president shared his account on Friday, September 25, in a Truth Social post following Thursday’s White House summit, part of a three-day meeting with Xi from September 23 to 25 that covers trade, AI, security and the Iran war.

Trump says Xi Jinping liked his proposed name for AI

Trump described his September 24 meeting with Xi as “very productive” for both countries, claiming that the Chinese leader appeared receptive to his preferred terminology for artificial intelligence.

“Like almost everyone else, he seemed to like calling the poorly and inaccurately named Artificial Intelligence to a far more accurate and important name, SUPER INTELLIGENCE,” Trump wrote.

He added that the proposed name would be “SUPER!” and claimed that “Everyone last night agreed, also.”

Trump did not provide further details about Xi’s reported reaction or identify the other people who agreed with the terminology.

His post also offered no explanation of how the leaders discussed AI during their meeting.

The comments followed a summit that included trade, security and technology among its central subjects.

Trump had also referred to “Super Intelligence (SI)” during his opening remarks at the White House, describing decisions involving the technology as important for future peace and prosperity.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Trump announced that US government documents would use “super intelligence” or “SI” in place of artificial intelligence and urged other countries to adopt the terminology.

Xi Jinping calls for human control over artificial intelligence

Xi addressed artificial intelligence during his own opening remarks on Thursday at the White House, presenting the technology as an area where the United States and China share responsibilities.

With both China and the US being leading nations in artificial intelligence, Xi said they both have the capability and responsibility to manage AI for good.

Xi called for both countries to “ensure the development of AI is always under human control and serve the wellbeing of the people.”

His remarks addressed the development and oversight of AI rather than Trump’s proposed terminology. 

The Chinese leader also emphasized cooperation between the two countries, saying their interests were “deeply intertwined” and that they should maintain communication and mutual trust.

Trump, meanwhile, described technology as one of several pressing issues the leaders needed to address.

Trump and Xi also discussed trade and security

The summit took place as the United States and China continued negotiations over trade, another major issue in their relationship. 

Their top officials had agreed to extend a trade truce until January, giving the leaders additional time for discussions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the extension could allow Trump and Xi to continue negotiations at upcoming international summits in China in November and Florida in December. 

He also said he did not know whether a larger agreement could be reached or whether the existing deal would simply be extended.

The leaders also addressed military relations and the possibility of avoiding conflict.

Xi said the two countries should “hold the line of no conflict” and warned that “the two countries stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in conflict.”

At a state dinner on Thursday evening, Xi described his discussions with Trump as “sincere exchanges” and said that they had reached “common understanding on many issues.”

Trump’s Friday post did not provide details of any specific AI agreement or policy decision reached during the summit. 

Xi is scheduled to join Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for private tea and a tour of the National Archives on Friday before departing the United States later that day.