The State of AI: is China about to win the race?
The world is focused on America’s lead but Beijing has the means, motive and opportunity to pull ahead
The world is focused on America’s lead but Beijing has the means, motive and opportunity to pull ahead

It has the advantage on both energy and practical application

Energy abundance, open-source models and manufacturing strengths will push Beijing into first place

China’s favouring of small and cheap models such as DeepSeek could prove to be the better bet

The models are akin to studying together to ace a test instead of relying on individual knowledge

A network of ultra-competitive high-school talent streams has been turning out the leading lights of science and tech

The US has gone all-in on artificial intelligence. But the idea of an end-of-times battle with China over tomorrow’s key…