China trails US in AI race, says Bessent
Washington, May 29
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared the United States the world's leading artificial intelligence power, arguing that China remains significantly behind as Washington seeks to maintain its technological edge in one of the most consequential strategic competitions of the century.
"The US is the AI leader in the world," Bessent said during a White House briefing.
"We're an AI superpower. China is second, they are trailing substantially."
The remarks reflect the Trump administration's broader view that technological leadership is increasingly central to national security, economic growth and geopolitical influence.
Bessent said the administration was working closely with leading American AI companies as policymakers seek to strike a balance between innovation and safeguards.
"We're working very closely with the large language labs. They've been excellent partners," he said.
"We are going to get a solution that solves for the maximum calculus."
His comments came in response to questions about risks posed by advanced AI models and whether additional government measures may be needed to protect critical infrastructure and the financial system.
Rather than signalling tougher restrictions, Bessent emphasised the importance of preserving America's lead while addressing safety concerns.
"What we want to do -- the US is the AI leader in the world," he said.
"We are working on the exact calculus between innovation and safety, and we want to optimise for that."
The administration's approach appears aimed at encouraging continued investment and technological development while avoiding regulatory measures that could slow innovation.
Bessent also highlighted cooperation between the federal government and major AI developers.
"We have great collaboration between all of the labs that have the large language models, but between the US government and the labs," he said.
His remarks underscore how AI has become a central front in the broader strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
American officials increasingly view leadership in artificial intelligence as critical not only for economic competitiveness but also for military capabilities, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and future productivity growth.
The debate has intensified as governments around the world grapple with how to regulate increasingly powerful AI systems while ensuring that domestic companies remain globally competitive.
The United States and China are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and advanced computing infrastructure, with both nations seeking to secure leadership in technologies expected to shape the global economy for decades.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The US is definitely ahead in foundational research, but China is catching up fast in applications. We should be paying attention to how both are handling regulation vs innovation. India cannot afford to be a bystander in this AI revolution.
Interesting timing for this statement. China just released their new AI policies and DeepSeek has been making waves in the global AI community. Bessent might be underestimating China's progress with open-source models. India should take notes on both approaches.
Bhai, here in Bengaluru we have so many AI startups but the regulatory environment is confusing. US has clarity in their approach - innovation first, then safety. Meanwhile our government is busy making committees that do nothing. We need action, not just conferences.
These statements are always political in nature. The real question is whether India can leverage our IT services expertise to build original AI products. We've been too focused on outsourcing. China is building their own ecosystem; we need to do the same.
China's progress in AI is actually very impressive despite the chip sanctions. Their research papers are top-notch. This statement feels like political spin rather than technical reality. India should partner with both sides and play smart geopolitics.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.