AI Advances are Not the Domain of a Single Player

Experts agree that the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is large enough for multiple countries to thrive, including both the United States and China. This perspective was shared by industry leaders at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, where discussions about AI took center stage, drawing considerable international interest.

Zeng Yi, who is part of the United Nations' high-level advisory group on AI and a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Automation, emphasized that the future of AI will not be shaped by only a few countries. He stated, "The future of AI is not decided by a handful of countries, but by nearly 200 countries and regions. The world is wide enough to embrace both the U.S. and China to co-develop AI."

During the conference, the U.S. government imposed additional export restrictions on numerous Chinese entities, including notable companies such as the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI) and Inspur Group. In response, the BAAI criticized these actions, arguing that they contradict the principles of scientific innovation and global collaboration, which are vital for AI research and development.

Further criticism of these U.S. sanctions came from Zheng Yongnian, dean of the School of Public Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). He described the inclusion of Chinese firms in restrictive measures aimed at obstructing China's AI advancements as "unwise." Zheng noted that China has considerable advantages in applying AI technologies, especially with government support for its AI Plus strategy which promotes the fast-tracking of technology implementation. He suggested that U.S. sanctions may ironically lead to an increase in China's domestic investments and innovations in technology.

Looking ahead, Zheng predicted that if China's AI technologies develop at their current rate, the U.S. may find itself depending on Chinese innovations in certain sectors within the next 10 to 15 years.

Carl Fey, a professor of strategy at BI Norwegian Business School, echoed similar sentiments. He posited that although U.S. tech restrictions may create short-term challenges for China, they will ultimately push China to strengthen its technology base and enhance its competitiveness on a global scale. Fey cautioned that measures like tariffs and export bans tend to stall global tech advancement and could backfire by promoting further domestic innovation.

Among the discussions at this year's forum was an example of emerging technology: DeepSeek, a low-cost, open-source AI model that is transforming the industry landscape. This model’s accessible design allows for rapid deployment and widespread utilization, which may redefine the future of AI as a basic utility available to everyone, much like water or electricity.

Professor Jiang Xiaojuan from the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences remarked that DeepSeek is paving the way for greater competition by breaking monopolies, converting technological expertise into concrete industrial capabilities. She stated, "In a competitive market, these challenges will naturally be resolved by the forces of the market itself."

AI, Innovation, Competition