China vs. America: Who Is Really Winning the AI Race in 2026?

For years, the United States has been the undisputed leader in artificial intelligence. It still holds significant advantages. But a major new report from Stanford University suggests that China is closing ground faster than most people realise — and in some areas, it has already pulled ahead. 

The 2025 AI Index Report from Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI, one of the most comprehensive annual reviews of global AI trends, describes a race that is tightening on nearly every front. "The AI landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with high-quality models now available from a growing number of developers," the report states. 

China now leads in research volume and patents 

On sheer output, China has overtaken the US. In 2023, China produced more AI publications than any other country, accounting for 23.2% of global output and 22.6% of all citations. The report notes that China also dominates AI patenting, with the country accounting for 69.7% of all AI patent grants as of 2023. 

The US still leads where it arguably matters most — influence. The report confirms that "over the past three years, U.S. institutions have contributed the most top-100-cited AI publications," meaning American research tends to be the work others build on. But the volume and patent gap tells a different story about where the next generation of AI knowledge is being generated and owned.