AI Rivalries: Contesting U.S. and Chinese Approaches to Artificial Intelligence Regulation

BIPSS Research Associate Mohosina Mostofa Mity explained in this commentary that the AI rivalry between the United States and China is not merely about technological advancement but about who sets the rules of global governance. The U.S. approach emphasizes democratic values, market-driven innovation, and ethical safeguards, while China prioritizes centralized control, strategic dominance, and alignment with state authority. These competing models are reflected in how each country regulates AI, governs data, and deploys technologies in both civilian and military domains—making regulation itself a battleground of political systems and ideologies.

She further noted that this rivalry extends beyond borders, shaping global standards and influencing smaller states forced to choose between openness and sovereignty-driven control. While U.S. openness accelerates innovation but risks misuse, China’s rigid oversight mitigates risk but constrains creativity. The outcome of this competition will define not only the trajectory of AI innovation but also its role in shaping ethics, civil liberties, and geopolitical order in the coming decade.