How America Can Stay Ahead of China in the AI Race
Foreign AffairsAPR 16
Xi Pushes China's AI Self-Reliance Amid Global Tech Race
Above: China's President Xi Jinping arrives for a meeting with Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 14, 2025. Image copyright: Athit Perawongmetha/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
President Xi is steering China toward a safe but historic AI revolution, leveraging national resources to advance core technologies like chips and software. Prioritizing self-reliance, ethical development, and robust regulation, Xi aims for a beneficial, equitable AI sector. Despite U.S. trade disruptions, China's innovative startups like DeepSeek and strategic plans position it as an AI powerhouse. The U.S. can join this inclusive vision or risk falling behind.
Anti-China narrative
President Xi's vision for a safe AI revolution is compromised by China's aggressive stockpiling of chips and equipment, capitalizing on delays in U.S.-led export controls. Restrictions from Japan and the Netherlands have hindered China's AI progress, which is evident in its struggle to produce advanced chips. While Xi champions ethical AI, his focus on strategic advantage over global cooperation has compelled the U.S. to strengthen controls to preserve its technological lead.
Cynical narrative
The U.S. and China's AI race reveals their apathy for safe AI. The U.S. tightens export controls to stifle China's tech, while China pursues self-reliant AI for military dominance, ignoring rogue actor risks. Both dodge real safety measures like joint governance, mandatory risk audits, or global misuse monitoring, favoring power over stability. Their governance talks are a sham, risking chaos as they weaponize AI unchecked.