More Americans now believe China, rather than the US, is leading the global AI race, according to a new Pew Research Center survey, in a sign of shifting perceptions as competition intensifies and Chinese AI companies gain worldwide attention.

The survey found that 36% of Americans say China is ahead of the US in AI development, compared to just 12% who think the US leads. Another 18% see them as about even, while one-third are unsure. The view cuts across party lines, with both Republicans and Democrats increasingly acknowledging China's progress.

The findings come as Chinese AI models gain global recognition. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently described leading Chinese models as "excellent" and argued that restricting US companies' access to them could weaken American innovation, marking one of the strongest endorsements yet from a top US tech executive.

China has promoted international cooperation in AI, including open-source development and broader access to its technologies. As Chinese models gain wider adoption, the global landscape is moving from competition to collaboration, and from rivalry to shared governance.