AI Race: US Leads, But China Is Closing In

📡 The New York Times · 1 min read ·
As Xi Jinping visits President Trump in Washington, the two leaders face a shifting technology rivalry. The United States holds the lead in artificial intelligence (AI) development in several key areas. China, however, has built advantages of its own. Washington leads in advanced AI chips, top research labs, and private investment. These strengths give the US an edge in building the most powerful AI systems. Beijing's advantages lie elsewhere. China produces more AI research papers, holds vast amounts of data, and applies AI across everyday life — from payments to surveillance. State funding also lets China push projects forward quickly. The visit puts this competition in the spotlight. Both nations now treat AI as a matter of economic and military power.