The US is without question the world leader in AI and therefore has special leadership responsiblities. The EU has developing AI capabilities and foundational technologies (semiconductors) creating a EU - North American co-dependency. There are now doubts whether the US and EU political elites recognize the co-dependency.
The "China Challenge" is problematic for AI Policy formulation, as it has been in many areas where dual use problems abound.
While EU and the US have broadly similar political values, and hence the ability to cooperate in global AI policy formulation, China and the democracies political values are in conflict. A permanent Cold War II with complete political, economic and technological separation between China (and its allies) and the democracies seems probable.
This is the backdrop for the development of AI policy within countries and globally.
AI risk management has both short and long term aspects. In the short term it will be politically destabilizing and in the long term the issue of a "singularity" weighs on participants and policy makers.
The genie cannot be put back in the bottle. It will need to be managed globally (as has nuclear power) for without negotiated management of AI it presents a winner take all lever or the potential for a runaway scenerio or a localized Three Mile Island scenerio. In either case it is a civilizationally altering technology requiring attention.
The US took an early leadership role in the development of AI Policy. The Biden administration recognized the need to work with allies on the development of a workable international AI framework - a coalition of the willing - until it can be broadened. The first Trump administration when through the motions on AI policy but was focused elesewhere. The Second Trump administration is charging off in all directions at once, alienating close friends and neutrals alike. Trumpist ideology will inherently lead to AI Policy pratfalls and the competence question that overarches the administration will present serious issues for the US, its "allies and the world.
