According to the results of a Pew Research Center survey conducted in June 2026, a significant portion of the U.S. population believes the country is losing to China in the global artificial intelligence race.
What Happened
A survey of 3,488 Americans showed that 36% of respondents consider China more advanced in the field of AI, while only 12% see the U.S. as the leader. Additionally, 51% of those surveyed expressed concern that the development of AI technologies will lead to an increased economic gap between rich and poor countries.
Context
The research data reflects the growing public perception of geopolitical rivalry in the technological sphere and shapes the demand for ensuring national technological sovereignty.
Why It Matters for the Industry
The survey results may trigger increased government regulation, shifts in investment priorities, and growing pressure on governments to support national AI projects. In the short term, this could lead to stricter export controls on high-performance equipment, such as GPUs and NPUs.
Why It Matters for Users
For the general audience, understanding these sentiments helps to grasp the context of future legislation and technological trends, as well as to assess the risks of digital inequality and possible changes in technology accessibility.
What Remains Unknown / Limitations
Expert assessments show divergence: some specialists point to a crisis of trust, while others view the situation as a natural shift in the technological context.
Sources
Author
Look at AI, Editorial Staff