Tech Billionaires Cozy Up to Authoritarian Leaders at White House Dinner for Xi Jinping
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Executives from OpenAI, Nvidia, and Apple will attend a lavish state dinner hosted by President Trump for Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting the unchecked power of tech giants and their willingness to collaborate with authoritarian regimes amid superficial discussions on AI regulation.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman is confirmed to attend a September 24 state dinner at the White House, where President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a source. This gathering of elite tech billionaires and authoritarian leaders underscores the troubling alliance between corporate power and undemocratic governments. Nvidia founder Jensen Huang and Apple chief executive Tim Cook are also reported to be present, further illustrating how Silicon Valley's leadership is eager to maintain lucrative ties, regardless of ethical implications.
Separately, a White House meeting with AI company leaders is being planned for the same week, a detail referenced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, though his office declined to provide further information. These closed-door meetings continue to exclude public input, reinforcing the lack of transparency in how critical technologies are governed.
U.S. and Chinese officials have recently expressed differing views on AI regulation. President Trump has warned against imposing restrictions that could hinder U.S. competitiveness, prioritizing corporate profits over public safety and ethical considerations. Meanwhile, Chinese officials dismissed an essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on regulation as "fearmongering," showing a disregard for the real risks posed by unregulated AI.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated openness to discussing shared AI risks during a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York, a dialogue that may set the stage for the upcoming summit. The White House did not comment on the planned dinner or related meetings, continuing a pattern of secrecy and elite decision-making that leaves ordinary people out of critical conversations about our technological future.