U.S. Maintains Lead in AI Model Development with 40 Notable Models in 2024, China Rapidly Closes Quality Gap

The intensifying competition for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy between the United States and China is a primary concern for U.S. policymakers, recently highlighted by Wyoming Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis. FOX News Radio announced on social media that Senator Lummis would join the "FOX News Rundown" to discuss the "race for the best artificial intelligence," posing the critical question, "So who is winning?" This tweet, shared by FOX News Radio, underscores the high stakes of this technological rivalry.

The United States has demonstrated a quantitative lead in AI development, with U.S.-based institutions producing 40 notable AI models in 2024, significantly outpacing China's 15, according to Stanford's Artificial Intelligence Index. However, Chinese firms such as DeepSeek and Alibaba are rapidly narrowing the quality gap, with performance differences on major benchmarks shrinking to near parity in 2024. China continues to lead globally in AI publications and patents, driven by a national priority to achieve AI leadership and substantial state support.

Senator Lummis has been a vocal proponent for American technological superiority, emphasizing the national security implications of China's AI advancements. She asserts that "the AI arms race is no longer theoretical. It's here. And we cannot afford to come in second place." Lummis actively supports measures like the "Chip Security Act" to prevent the siphoning of advanced U.S. AI chips to China, which she states is fueling the Chinese Communist Party's military and surveillance capabilities.

The AI competition is deeply intertwined with broader strategic tensions between the two global powers, although limited areas for cooperation, particularly on AI safety, have emerged. A notable agreement in November 2024 saw both the U.S. and China pledge to exclude AI from nuclear command and control systems. Despite this, the U.S. has implemented export controls on advanced AI chips, while China aims for technological self-sufficiency, potentially leading to two distinct AI ecosystems.

This ongoing rivalry is viewed as a pivotal battle for control over global digital infrastructure and future geopolitical dynamics. Policymakers in both nations recognize AI's transformative potential, leading to significant investments and strategic maneuvering. The outcome of this technological race is expected to have profound implications for economic prosperity, national defense, and global stability.