Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities said artificial intelligence development has become a "two‑horse race" between the U.S. and China [1].
The characterization highlights a narrowing field of global leadership in AI, suggesting that the geopolitical and economic future of the technology depends primarily on the rivalry between these two superpowers.
Speaking during a CNBC Television interview on June 2, 2026, Ives said the current state of the industry is a competition where the U.S. and China are leading the pack [1]. This dynamic suggests that other nations may struggle to keep pace with the rapid deployment and scaling of AI capabilities seen in these two regions.
While the broader AI race remains tight, Ives noted a specific shift in the field of automation. He said China is emerging as a leader in the global robotics race, even as the broader AI competition between the U.S. and China intensifies [3]. This indicates that while the U.S. may maintain strengths in certain AI sectors, China is making significant strides in the physical application of these technologies through robotics.
Ives said the competition is not merely about software but extends to the hardware and infrastructure required to sustain AI growth [1]. The race involves a complex interplay of chip manufacturing, data center expansion, and talent acquisition.
According to Ives, the scale of investment and the speed of iteration in both nations have created a gap between the leaders and the rest of the world [2]. This divide could potentially dictate international standards for AI ethics, safety, and commercial integration for years to come.
“AI is a two‑horse race between the United States and China.”
The framing of AI as a binary competition suggests that the strategic focus of the industry is shifting from a global collaborative effort to a geopolitical struggle for dominance. If China continues to lead in robotics specifically, the U.S. may face a deficit in industrial automation and manufacturing efficiency, even if it maintains a lead in generative AI software.
