China is closing the AI gap with the US
Originally posted on LinkedIn, January 1, 2025.
China is rapidly closing the AI gap with the US. The two countries are competing for control of AI technology, and China keeps finding ways around the restrictions placed on it. Despite export bans on advanced chips, Chinese companies have developed methods that produce similar results with limited computing resources.
This week, Chinese AI company DeepSync, whose product even looks a lot like chat GPT, released smart models with world-class performance and no access to expensive computing infrastructure. New training optimizations helped it narrow the gap with companies such as OpenAI and Google. Like ChatGPT, it is free and open for anyone to try.
Jack Clark, author of the popular Import AI blog, wrote: “China is building not only more efficient models, but an entire network ready to deal with every obstacle the West puts in its way. We underestimate how quickly they are advancing.”
China is not just competing. It is changing how the competition works, and that requires a new approach in the West and here in Israel. Its combination of innovation and extraordinary determination shows that limiting access to resources can drive creativity.
Chinese leadership in AI could affect innovation, the economy, and security in Israel and across the West, while reshaping technology markets. Interesting times, as they say.
