The AI race with China the US is losing

Much of the AI discussion in the U.S. has centered on the need to win the technology race with China. While the U.S. is focused on achieving the most advanced frontier AI technologies, we are losing the global market to China.

Most of the world is not looking for the most cutting-edge frontier model. They are looking for something they can afford and that works. While the U.S. is investing in the most advanced technologies, China is actively pushing its cheaper models around the developing world. Losing this race will have long-term negative implications for the United States.

The competition in these countries will help determine whether U.S. or Chinese technology runs their infrastructure, supports their hospitals and classrooms, and delivers government services.

As Chinese products and services are brought in to run infrastructure, classrooms, airports, and government services across Africa, Asia and Latin America, China is building long-term relationships that will be difficult for the U.S. to penetrate.

Purchasing Chinese technology also brings risks. Chinese technology may be less secure than American technology, creating potential national security threats. China also frequently sells technology that enables countries to surveil their populations.

By focusing on open-weight models, China is making its technology easier for others to adopt. Unlike many American models, which are only available through services controlled by their companies, Chinese models such as DeepSeek and Alibaba’s models are available for others to download and adapt.

Huawei is already expanding its significant footprint throughout the Global South. In........

© The Hill