Problem and Background
The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed this technology from a primarily scientific and technological field into a strategic domain of geopolitical, economic, security, and diplomatic competition. In particular, the strategic competition between the United States and China over Artificial Intelligence has become one of the most significant dimensions of contemporary great-power competition. Both the United States and China regard Artificial Intelligence as a strategic technology capable of strengthening national power, military capabilities, economic competitiveness, technological leadership, and influence over global governance. Consequently, the competition between the United States and China cannot be understood merely in terms of investment in Artificial Intelligence, computing capacity, semiconductors, military applications, or technological innovation. It increasingly involves technological alliances, export controls, international cooperation, bilateral negotiations, diplomatic interactions, and attempts to influence international rules and standards related to Artificial Intelligence. In this context, Artificial Intelligence has become both an object of diplomacy and an instrument for exercising international influence.

Previous studies have largely examined the United States–China Artificial Intelligence competition through the lenses of technological development, the balance of power, military applications, national security, and technological geopolitics. Although these studies provide important insights into the strategic dimensions of Artificial Intelligence competition, the diplomatic dimension of this competition has received comparatively little systematic attention. This is particularly true of the role of bilateral dialogue, technological diplomacy, diplomatic interaction, technological coalition-building, and efforts to shape global Artificial Intelligence governance. The main research gap, therefore, concerns the relationship between technological competition and the transformation of diplomacy in the context of United States–China strategic rivalry. The present study addresses this gap by examining Artificial Intelligence competition as a multidimensional process involving technological, geopolitical, and diplomatic competition.
Research Objective
The main objective of this research is to explain the dimensions of strategic competition between the United States and China in the field of Artificial Intelligence and to analyze the role of diplomacy in managing, directing, and institutionalizing this competition. More specifically, the study seeks to examine how Artificial Intelligence has entered the diplomatic agenda of the United States and China, how technological diplomacy has developed alongside technological competition, and how both powers use diplomatic mechanisms to manage bilateral relations, protect their technological advantages, develop technological partnerships, and influence the formation of international rules, standards, and norms concerning Artificial Intelligence. The research consequently views AI diplomacy and technological diplomacy not as marginal elements of the United States–China competition, but as integral components of the broader strategic rivalry.
Research Method
This research adopts a descriptive-analytical method. Data and information were collected through library research and the systematic examination of primary and secondary sources. The research draws upon official documents, government strategies, international reports, academic books and articles, and reliable electronic sources related to Artificial Intelligence, technological competition, diplomacy, national security, military applications, and global AI governance. The analysis comparatively examines the policies and approaches of the United States and China toward Artificial Intelligence, with particular attention to technological development, military and dual-use applications, technological ecosystems, diplomatic interactions, bilateral dialogue, technological alliances, export controls, and participation in international AI governance.
Research Findings
The findings demonstrate that Artificial Intelligence has become a strategic component of the competition between the United States and China and is increasingly connected with geopolitical power, national security, military modernization, economic competitiveness, and global governance. Both countries consider Artificial Intelligence a foundational and strategic technology and are investing substantially in research, development, infrastructure, and military and civilian applications. Nevertheless, their technological ecosystems and governance approaches differ. The United States relies more heavily on a decentralized technological ecosystem, private-sector innovation, cooperation with universities and defense institutions, and an extensive network of allies and partners. China, by contrast, employs a more centralized and state-directed model characterized by close coordination among government, industry, universities, and military institutions.
The findings further indicate that Artificial Intelligence has contributed to the transformation of the military and strategic balance between the two powers. Both the United States and China are developing AI-based command-and-control systems, autonomous systems, data-analysis capabilities, and technologies designed to improve decision-making and operational effectiveness. At the same time, Artificial Intelligence has become closely associated with technological competition over semiconductors, advanced computing, supply chains, military innovation, and technological standards. Thus, the Artificial Intelligence competition between the United States and China represents not only a technological competition but also a broader geopolitical competition for strategic advantage and influence.
From a diplomatic perspective, the findings show that the United States–China competition over Artificial Intelligence has simultaneously encouraged the development of new forms of technological diplomacy and AI diplomacy. Bilateral dialogue, efforts to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence, limited cooperation in addressing common AI risks, technological coalition-building, and competition over international standards demonstrate that diplomacy has become one of the principal arenas for managing technological competition. The agreement between the United States and China to establish a governmental dialogue on Artificial Intelligence in 2023 illustrates that strategic technological rivalry has not completely eliminated diplomatic channels. Instead, AI diplomacy has created a limited institutional space for communication, risk management, and discussion of issues with broader implications for international security and global AI governance.
The research also finds that AI diplomacy serves different strategic purposes for the two powers. For the United States, technological diplomacy is simultaneously a means of maintaining technological leadership, coordinating allies and partners, promoting preferred standards, managing common risks, and regulating competitive behavior toward China. For China, AI diplomacy is connected to technological development, industrial policy, international legitimacy, technological cooperation, and participation in the formation of international rules and norms governing Artificial Intelligence. Consequently, diplomacy is not merely a mechanism for reducing tensions; it has itself become an arena of power competition and the pursuit of national interests.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the competition between the United States and China over Artificial Intelligence should be understood as a multidimensional competition combining technological, geopolitical, military, institutional, and diplomatic dimensions. Artificial Intelligence is increasingly reshaping the distribution of power and influencing the future of international politics. The central finding is that diplomacy has become an integral component of the Artificial Intelligence competition rather than an external or secondary mechanism. Through technological diplomacy and AI diplomacy, both the United States and China seek to preserve their technological advantages, develop partnerships, influence international standards, manage strategic risks, and shape the emerging architecture of global AI governance. At the same time, the continuation of bilateral dialogue demonstrates that, even under conditions of intense strategic rivalry, limited opportunities for cooperation concerning common risks, technological safety, crisis management, and international governance remain possible.
Accordingly, the future of global AI governance will depend not only on the technological capabilities of the United States and China but also on their ability to employ diplomacy, bilateral dialogue, technological diplomacy, and international governance mechanisms to manage strategic competition. The Artificial Intelligence rivalry should therefore be regarded as a technological, geopolitical, and diplomatic competition whose consequences extend beyond bilateral relations and may significantly influence the future structure of the international order and global AI governance.