The two global superpowers, the United States and China, are engaged in a fierce competition for technological dominance.
In the second half of the 20th century, the rivalry between the great powers centered on nuclear weapons. Today, this race has shifted to a new and crucial field: Artificial Intelligence (AI). The two global superpowers, the United States and China, are engaged in a fierce competition for technological dominance, a race that is taking place in research labs, universities, and innovative companies, at a cost running into trillions of dollars.
Experts describe this rivalry as a battle between the “brains” and the “body” of AI. The US has traditionally had the upper hand in the “brains” of artificial intelligence, leading the way in the development of large language models (LLMs) and chatbots. A key moment was the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in November 2022, which revolutionized the way people interact with technology. Today, hundreds of millions of users around the world use it every week. US companies such as Google and Anthropic have invested billions of dollars to develop similar systems, aiming to dominate this lucrative sector. However, the US’s strategic advantage lies not only in software, but also in hardware – especially the advanced microchips that power these systems. A key role is played by Nvidia, which dominates the design of powerful chips.
To maintain this lead, the United States has imposed strict export restrictions on China, preventing its access to critical technology. These measures include banning the export of advanced machinery from companies like ASML, the only company in the world that produces the equipment needed to produce the most advanced chips.
However, China has responded strongly. In 2025, it introduced the DeepSeek chatbot, which offers similar functionality to American models but at a much lower cost. The development shook global markets and called into question the effectiveness of the US strategy of technological restrictions. Analysts believe that these restrictions have fostered innovation and self-sufficiency in China. Meanwhile, China has a clear advantage in the “body” of AI – robotics and automation. With millions of robots in use and extensive state support, it has integrated the technology into manufacturing and daily life. Cities such as Shenzhen and Shanghai are examples of advanced use of robots and drones, including automated deliveries.
One of the most interesting developments is the use of humanoid robots to cope with an aging population. By 2035, the number of people over 60 in China is expected to surpass the population of the United States, increasing the need for automation in sectors such as healthcare. The global race for artificial intelligence remains open. The United States continues to lead in the development of core technologies and chips, while China is rapidly advancing in efficiency and robotics. In the coming years, this confrontation could determine not only the global economy but also the balance of power in the world.