The writer is professor of law at the Gould School of Law, University of Southern California, and author of ‘High Wire: How China Regulates Big Tech and Governs Its Economy’
Last week, the US further tightened its restrictions on semiconductor sales to China, triggering sharp declines in the stock prices of US chipmakers Nvidia and AMD. Washington seems determined to double down on export controls in its quest for supremacy in an AI arms race — no matter the cost to itself. But what if China isn’t trying to win?
American policymakers warn that whoever dominates AI will gain decisive economic, national security and military advantages. Beijing, however, may have quietly concluded that being a close second will serve its interests better.