From oil to algorithms: The U.S.-China rivalry over artificial intelligence

In the 20th century, oil was the lifeblood of global power. Today, algorithms and data are the "new oil" reshaping economics, politics and security. Whoever controls AI will determine the balance of power for decades to come.

America: The power of corporations

The United States is leading the AI race with its corporate giants such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon. More than 60 percent of global investment in the sector originates in Silicon Valley, where individual innovation and a free market are the American bet to maintain the lead.

China: The State of Algorithms

China, on the other hand, is putting the state at the center of the battle. Since 2017, Beijing has launched the "AI 2030" plan with more than $150 billion in investments, drawing on billions of data from 1.4 billion citizens. Beijing is building a massive laboratory that aims to turn AI into a tool for economic and military dominance.

Economy and security

AI is no longer just a technology, but a tool that determines who controls global trade, money, and even the battlefield. Every new algorithm can be a weapon, and every advancement in machine learning means economic and strategic advantage.

Battle of standards

The winner of the race will not only control the technology, but will set the rules that govern the digital world. America is pushing for an open market model, while China supports a centralized state model. The result could be a world divided into two parallel digital ecosystems.

Mutual restrictions

The U.S. has imposed restrictions on Chinese researchers, banning more than 5,000 scientists from its laboratories. It has also enacted laws such as banning the export of advanced chips and supercomputers to Beijing to slow down its progress. But these restrictions have prompted China to accelerate its plans for self-sufficiency.

The future: A race for the rules

The battle is not just about who is ahead today, but who will write the rules for decades to come. AI supremacy means controlling the economy, security, and even the contours of human civilization.