From geopolitics to classrooms: Hope in the AI race between the US and China

The race for AI, the defining competition of the 21st century, is shifting to classrooms. While Beijing and Washington fight over semiconductors and spy balloons, their quietest and most significant competition is unfolding in schools. And that’s something we need to welcome. Preparing new generations for the cognitive revolution that will define human relations with machines has far-reaching implications for human development compared to current geopolitical tensions.

AI education has gained importance with President Trump’s executive order to advance AI education for American youth. Similarly, China has mandated AI education for all elementary and middle school students, aiming to create a generation of technologically literate citizens.

China’s and the United States’ approaches to AI education share several common features. Building AI knowledge and skills is among the countries’ highest strategic and societal priorities. Curriculum development is holistic, covering mathematics, science, and ethics to improve technical skills and promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities from students. Both countries promote partnerships with the AI industry as a direct way to access technology and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications of AI.

The competition for leadership in AI education is promising for several reasons. First, it underscores the recognition that AI is not just a technological tool, but a transformative force that will shape the future of work, communication, and society. By prioritizing AI education, the United States and China are investing in the intellectual capital needed to thrive in an increasingly automated world.

In addition, AI can improve pedagogy and teaching methods, providing personalised learning experiences that meet individual students’ needs. From intelligent tutoring systems that adapt to a learner’s pace, to AI-based analytics that help educators identify areas for improvement, the potential for improving educational outcomes is vast. As both sides explore these opportunities, we can turn the current AI-driven education crisis into a unique pedagogical opportunity to strengthen critical thinking and creativity.
However, it is important to acknowledge the counter-argument: the fear that competition in AI could lead to conflict and isolationism. Some may worry that the race for AI supremacy could foster a culture of exclusivity, where nations hoard knowledge and resources rather than collaborate.

While these concerns are valid, we believe that the very nature of education is more prone to cooperation and healthy competition than, for example, security or economic competition. As countries seek to outdo one another, they may come to realize the value of sharing best practices, research, and resources in AI education.

This spirit prevails in education and development circles, such as Google’s engineers forcing the company not to renew its contract with the Pentagon in 2018 by rebelling against the use of their technology for military purposes, or DeepSeek’s developers favoring open source contributions to the global public good on their platform. When students in Shanghai debug code alongside their peers in Silicon Valley through open source platforms, they’re not just building algorithms – they’re building trust. Away from the spotlight, they are becoming diplomats for a new type of AI diplomacy.

While the current geopolitical landscape is not promising, the rivalry between the US and China in AI education offers a glimmer of hope that it is not just about who wins in the AI race but, more importantly, how humanity will prepare for the coming transformation of AI and coexistence with advanced technologies.