Forget the hype around today’s flashiest AI models – the true battle for artificial intelligence leadership is an endurance test, and China is training for victory. That’s the core thesis from Financial Times columnist Tej Parikh in his January 18 commentary.
U.S. companies boast the most powerful models right now, thanks to high-end chips. But Chinese players like DeepSeek, Alibaba, and Moonshot AI are catching up fast. Their large-scale language models are erasing the performance gap, powered by innovative approaches.
China’s edge? Open-source dominance. By releasing models freely for global developers to tweak and improve, Beijing accelerates progress like no other. Add abundant energy supplies and manufacturing superiority, and the advantages stack up.
Capital Economics economists reinforce this: sustained focus on algorithms, superior data, and integrated systems means Chinese AI can match U.S. leaders. As compute power becomes the new oil, China’s resources give it staying power in this marathon.
The implications are profound. Industries from healthcare to defense could see power shift eastward. Western firms must rethink strategies beyond chip wars. China’s methodical rise signals a new era in tech rivalry.