China files the largest number of patent applications in the field of generative artificial intelligence, significantly outpacing other countries in the top five—namely, the United States, South Korea, Japan, and India. This is highlighted in a new report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
August 19, 2024
Vladimir Korchagin,
Swiss editorial office of FUTURUM
The competition between the United States and China in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly intensifying, shaping the future of technology, the economy, and global politics. In 2023 and 2024, this rivalry became even more fierce, with both nations investing heavily to secure dominance in this strategically critical area.
Between 2014 and 2023, more than 38,000 generative AI inventions were registered in China—six times more than in the United States, which ranks second in terms of patent filings. India, which ranks fifth, recorded the highest average annual growth rate among the top five, at 56%.
According to the Georgetown University Center for Security and Emerging Technology, China maintains a strong lead in AI research publications. The Chinese Academy of Sciences ranks first globally in both the number and quality of publications, reflecting China’s quantitative and qualitative edge in scientific research. Meanwhile, Chinese companies like Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei are actively deploying AI across sectors such as finance, logistics, autonomous driving, and government administration. Government support and substantial investments in R&D are driving the rapid growth of China’s AI sector.
Among the top companies filing patents in generative AI are Tencent (2,074 inventions), Ping An Insurance (1,564 inventions), Baidu (1,234), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (607), IBM (601), Alibaba Group (571), Samsung Electronics (468), Alphabet (443), ByteDance (418), and Microsoft (377).
On the other hand, the US remains a leader in the commercialization of AI, with companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI leading the charge. OpenAI, supported by Microsoft, plays a crucial role in the development of generative AI, enabling American companies to dominate applied research and deploy cutting-edge technologies across various industries, including healthcare, education, and manufacturing. In 2023, the US attracted over $23 billion in private AI investments, more than double China’s figure. These investments support the research and development that underpins America’s global AI leadership.
Ethical considerations and policy play a central role in the US strategy. American companies and the government emphasize transparency, security, and human rights, participating in international initiatives such as the OECD AI Policy Observatory. Meanwhile, China prioritizes efficiency and scale, enabling faster AI deployment, though this raises concerns about ethics and human rights. This approach allows China to quickly implement its ambitious plans, particularly in internal surveillance and monitoring.
Military technology is another critical area of competition between the US and China. Both countries are investing heavily in AI for military purposes, including autonomous systems, drones, and geospatial analysis tools. China’s “military-civil fusion” strategy enables rapid AI integration into its armed forces, creating a significant strategic advantage. The US, in turn, focuses on advancing military technology through partnerships with companies like Lockheed Martin and Palantir to maintain its leadership in defense.
The future of the US-China AI competition will be shaped by several factors. First, the US continues to hold a leadership position thanks to its tech companies, which receive significant investments and have vast resources for research and development. However, China is quickly catching up by leveraging government programs and political support to accelerate its AI initiatives.
More details are available at UN News.
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