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The US and China’s AI race will define the century

The rivalry is not just technological – it will also spill over into broader geoeconomics

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    • The release of DeepSeek-R1 in January 2025 was, for many observers, a demonstration that hardware disadvantage need not mean capability disadvantage.
    • The release of DeepSeek-R1 in January 2025 was, for many observers, a demonstration that hardware disadvantage need not mean capability disadvantage. IMAGE: REUTERS

    Leon Hadar

    Published Thu, Jun 4, 2026 · 05:00 PM

    FEW rivalries in modern history have carried as much consequence as the one now unfolding between the US and China over artificial intelligence.

    Unlike previous technological competitions – the space race and the nuclear arms build-up – this one is not confined to a single domain.

    AI is a general-purpose technology: one that involves semiconductors, scientific research, military affairs, global markets and the everyday lives of billions.

    Artificial IntelligenceChinaUS-China relationsUS-China tech war

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