AI Race

Extracted Attributes

• Goal

  Strategic advantage, Global dominance

• Type

  Economic and Military Competition

• Noted Risks

  Geopolitical power reshaping, Critical failures, Unintended consequences, Job displacement

• Associated Term

  AI Cold War

• Key Technologies

  Advanced AI, Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

• Primary Competitors

  United States, China

• Influencing Ideology

  Effective Altruism

• Related Policy Areas

  Fiscal policy, Industrial strategy, Global AI Governance

• Scope of AI Applications

  Surveillance, Autonomous weapons, Decision-making systems, Cyber operations

• Potential Economic Impact

  Unprecedented investment, Economic growth

Timeline

• Many analysts noted the emergence of a military artificial intelligence arms race between superpowers. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2010s (mid-)

Artificial intelligence arms race

A military artificial intelligence arms race is an economic and military competition between two or more states to develop and deploy advanced AI technologies and lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). The goal is to gain a strategic or tactical advantage over rivals, similar to previous arms races involving nuclear or conventional military technologies. Since the mid-2010s, many analysts have noted the emergence of such an arms race between superpowers for better AI technology and military AI, driven by increasing geopolitical and military tensions. An AI arms race is sometimes placed in the context of an AI Cold War between the United States and China. Several influential figures and publications have emphasized that whoever develops artificial general intelligence (AGI) first could dominate global affairs in the 21st century. Russian President Vladimir Putin famously stated that the leader in AI will "rule the world." Experts and analysts—from researchers like Leopold Aschenbrenner to institutions like Lawfare and Foreign Policy—warn that the AGI race between major powers like the U.S. and China could reshape geopolitical power. This includes AI for surveillance, autonomous weapons, decision-making systems, cyber operations, and more.

Web Search Results

• Artificial intelligence arms race - Wikipedia

  A military artificial intelligence arms race is an economic and military competition between two or more states to develop and deploy advanced AI technologies and lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). The goal is to gain a strategic or tactical advantage over rivals, similar to previous arms races involving nuclear or conventional military technologies. Since the mid-2010s, many analysts have noted the emergence of such an arms race between superpowers for better AI technology and military [...] One risk concerns the AI race itself, whether or not the race is won by any one group. There are strong incentives for development teams to cut corners with regard to the safety of the system, increasing the risk of critical failures and unintended consequences. This is in part due to the perceived advantage of being the first to develop advanced AI technology. One team appearing to be on the brink of a breakthrough can encourage other teams to take shortcuts, ignore precautions and deploy a [...] | Artificial intelligence arms race | | | --- | --- | | Part of the Artificial Intelligence Cold War, Second Cold War | | | | |

• Winning the AI race: Strengthening U.S. capabilities in computing ...

  While the U.S. government rightly has focused on protecting sensitive AI components in secure datacenters through export controls, an even more important element of AI competition will involve a race between the United States and China to spread their respective technologies to other countries. Given the nature of technology markets and their potential network effects, this race between the United States and China for international influence likely will be won by the fastest first mover. The [...] We’re seeing activity in the states as well. We partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation to launch a six-week pilot program aimed at boosting productivity and improving decision-making across various departments. The program saw strong results with 97 percent of participants using the AI digital assistant during the pilot, 68 percent have integrated it into their daily workflow, and participants reporting saving an average of 12 hours a week on routine tasks. [...] Importantly, accessible public data levels the playing field. It empowers not only large companies but startups, academic institutions, and nonprofits to train and refine AI models. This fosters a more competitive and inclusive AI ecosystem, where innovation is driven by ideas and ingenuity – not just proprietary data.

• The AI Race Has Gotten Crowded—and China Is Closing In on the US

  The institute’s 2025 AI index, which collates data and trends on the state of the AI industry, paints a picture of an increasingly competitive, global, and unrestrained race toward artificial general intelligence—AI that surpasses human abilities. Advertisement [...] OpenAI and Google are still neck and neck in the race to build bleeding-edge AI, the report shows. But several other companies are closing in. In the US, the fiercest competition comes from Meta’s open-weight Llama models; Anthropic, a company founded by former OpenAI employees; and Elon Musk’s xAI. [...] The year thatChatGPT went viral, only two US companies—OpenAI and Google—could boast truly cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Three years on, AI is no longer a two-horse race, nor is it purely an American one. A new report published today by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) highlights just how crowded the field has become.

• The Real AI Race - Foreign Affairs

  Discussions in Washington about artificial intelligence increasingly turn to how the United States can win the AI race with China. One of President Donald Trump’s first acts on returning to office was to sign an executive order declaring the need to “sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance.” At the Paris AI Action Summit in February, Vice President JD Vance emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that “American AI technology continues to be the gold standard worldwide.” [...] Feedback Institutional Subscriptions Gift a Subscription About Us Events Issue Archive Advertise Audio Content Account Management FAQs The Real AI Race ================ America Needs More Than Innovation to Compete With China -------------------------------------------------------- ### Colin H. Kahl and Jim Mitre July 9, 2025 Image 4: Taking a photo of an AI data sign in Taipei, Taiwan, June 2024 [...] Published Time: 2025-07-09T00:00:00-04:00 The Real AI Race: America Needs More Than Innovation to Compete With China =============== Skip to content Current Issue Current Issue Archive Books Podcast Subscribe Subscribe Foreign Affairs Newsletters Log In Log In Subscribe Menu Current Issue Current Issue Archive Books Podcast Subscribe Subscribe The Real AI RaceForeign Affairs Newsletters Log In Log In Subscribe Menu

• AI Racing Tech

  SPEEDING TO VICTORY @ CES 2025 - LAS VEGAS, January 9 - Under unusually cold and blustery conditions at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, AI Racing Tech won the trophy for the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) passing tier competition. MEET THE AI RACING TECH TEAM as they prepare for Indy Autonomous Challenge 2024 at the world-famous Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. # TOP NEWS STORIES # Passing Trophy Win @CES'25! [...] AI Racing Tech wins the passing tier competition over Purdue with a top speed of 163 mph. Read more # AV-24s RETURN TO LAS VEGAS The AV-24s unveiled at CES'24 return to Las Vegas, this time to compete. Read more # A.R.T. Competes @IAC'24 @IMS AI Racing Tech joins 10 university teams at the Racing Capital of the World. Read more # CES 2025 Gallery # PARTNERS & SPONSORS LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Twitter Facebook © 2024 All rights reserved.