Since ChatGPT's launch in November 2022, the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence have outpaced policymakers. The AI revolution is just beginning, and the most advanced AI models, or “frontier AI, ” have the capability to generate images, audio, video, code, and natural language. These developments have spurred AI labs to aim for “artificial general intelligence” (AGI), potentially unlocking significant breakthroughs in science and national security. The U. S. must hasten the formulation of a global AI strategy to leverage these advantages or risk falling behind, particularly as authoritarian regimes like China could dominate AI technology, embedding undemocratic practices worldwide. The Trump administration is positioned to build on the Biden administration's AI initiatives to secure the U. S. and its allies' competitive edge. This will involve not only enhancing American technological superiority but also collaborating with the private sector to develop both cutting-edge and “good enough” AI solutions to better compete globally. Top AI labs like Anthropic and OpenAI partner with major cloud services such as AWS and Google Cloud, which are essential for training complex AI models. This growth relies heavily on advanced semiconductors like GPUs, with U. S. companies like Nvidia and AMD leading in this area. Although China has made strides with its own AI models, it lags behind the U. S. in high-performance chips, affected by stringent export controls the U. S. has implemented to limit China’s access to advanced AI technologies. China has attempted to bypass these restrictions by using smuggling, intermediaries, and even remote access to overseas cloud services. To counter these efforts, the U. S. has tightened export controls and expanded them to include allies, ensuring that critical technologies do not reach hostile nations.

The latest U. S. framework for AI export aims to maintain a three-tiered licensing structure to regulate chip access globally, with stringent requirements for countries considered allies. While maintaining its technological supremacy, the U. S. must also promote its AI technologies effectively in the Global South, which is increasingly seeking locally-hosted AI solutions for economic growth. Nations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia are building local data centers to ensure compliance with regulations and enhance employment prospects. However, due to the costs and challenges of constructing numerous cutting-edge facilities, a more viable strategy would be a hybrid approach that combines advanced cloud services with regional facilities for specific applications. Critics of the Biden approach argue that restricting chip exports may alienate potential partners, driving them towards China. However, the Biden framework still permits the development of large data centers in less regulated countries. The emphasis should be on "good enough" AI solutions, as many nations in the Global South may find cheaper Chinese alternatives appealing for mainstream applications. China’s AI companies are aggressively expanding their presence in these markets, leveraging partnerships and subsidized technological infrastructure. The Biden administration has initiated programs to bolster investment in AI development, but the Trump administration can take this further by fostering partnerships that promote U. S. technologies. Efforts could include increasing low-interest loans for AI projects, ensuring U. S. firms are well-positioned to meet the needs of emerging markets. Ultimately, sustaining U. S. leadership in AI hinges not only on preserving technological advantages but also on engaging deeply with countries that will shape the future landscape of AI deployment, ensuring that competition does not result in a lost opportunity for global influence. The U. S. must act decisively to maintain its leadership while fostering collaborative relationships to shape a positive AI global order, avoiding a scenario where, despite excelling in innovation, control slips into the hands of adversaries like China.