We need to talk about AI

There’s been a litany of warnings about AI and its potential dangers. A top safety researcher at Anthropic, one of the biggest AI companies in the US, warned the technology is advancing at a pace so fast that there’s a 10% chance it “could kill all humans” within the next decade. Such concerns have led to calls for a coordinated action in the US to slow down the development of the technology. But there are also some who have challenged the need for guardrails – including US President Donald Trump – arguing that it would surrender America's dominance over the technology to its rivals. China’s AI industry has also been accelerating in lockstep with the US, despite American efforts to restrict the pace of China’s tech development. AI services from DeepSeek, Moonshot and Zhipu.AI, among others, have continually shown that Chinese competitors are either level or closely behind the capabilities of leading US labs. On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to Laura Bicker and Jing Yang. Laura is the BBC’s China correspondent and has been reporting on China’s advances in AI. Jing is the Asia bureau chief at The Information, a publication focusing on the tech industry. Together, they unpack the challenges that both the US and China face in terms of the technology and how the two countries are split on the how to regulate AI and the pace of development. We try to answer if the widening chasm can be bridged. Also on this episode, Bernard Leong, the former head of AI in South East Asia for Amazon Web Services, explains how AI could materially threaten humanity, and why they would do that in the first place. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Search Asia Specific on YouTube for video episodes. Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk