US-China AI Competition Shapes Global Technology Standards

The Trump administration frames the race for AI dominance as a critical competition with China, emphasizing that the nation controlling AI standards will gain significant economic and military advantages, akin to the historic space race. While the U.S. currently leads, China’s rapid innovation ecosystem, aggressive semiconductor advancements, and hypercompetitive business environment provide it with strong momentum to potentially surpass the U.S. The AI race is complex and continuous, with different countries excelling in varied AI applications, such as the U.S. in cloud AI and China in surveillance technology, making the competition about proportional advantages rather than a single definitive victory. Both the U.S. and China have released AI action plans that reflect their strategic priorities and political values, with the Trump administration adopting a more exclusionary stance focused on American values, while China promotes global AI governance and collaboration, particularly focusing on the Global South. However, concerns persist about political and cultural biases influencing AI development, with China’s models often embedding state-sponsored ideological biases, complicating the establishment of a truly neutral and responsible global AI framework. The ongoing dialogue at major AI conferences highlights challenges such as interoperability, developer engagement, and the evolving role of AI technologies within society, underscoring the multifaceted nature of this international competition.