The 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, held in September 2026, brought together approximately 2,000 delegates from around 100 countries. The primary focus of the event was the integration of artificial intelligence into military operations and the associated risks of automated decision-making.
Experts highlighted that AI-enabled systems could reduce military response times from hours or days to minutes. Melanie Sisson of the Brookings Institution and Tianjiao Jiang of Fudan University advocated for mandatory human oversight in critical military decisions, proposing red lines that would prohibit AI from autonomously targeting nuclear systems or infrastructure.
Chinese State Security Minister Chen Yixin stated on September 14, 2026, that the AI race represents a significant shift in strategic competition between major powers. Participants discussed the risks of AI-generated disinformation and the potential for destabilization in international security.
Proposed safety measures include the establishment of dedicated hotlines for AI-related military incidents and the creation of international norms to prevent full automation in targeting, launch authorization, and cyber operations. These discussions preceded a scheduled summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24, 2026.
The US and China previously reached an agreement in 2024, which mandates human oversight for nuclear command and control. This existing framework serves as a reference point for ongoing efforts to manage the risks posed by military AI development.
