China is embracing “embodied AI”—artificial intelligence integrated with physical agents, such as robots and drones—both for commercial reasons and as a path to artificial general intelligence (AGI). The trend reflects China’s signature approach to AI, which recognizes diverse paths to AI dominance vis-à-vis the large models favored in the United States. This report documents PRC support for AI embodiment, describes how it is understood by China’s research community, and maps out the related infrastructure.

CSET’s Helen Toner and Emelia Probasco shared their expert analysis on the podcast The Age of Intelligence. The episode explores how AI is reshaping national security, including the US–China competition, the role of allies, and the challenges of governing AI as a dual use technology.

Cole McFaul shared his expert analysis in an article published by BBC News. The article discusses President Donald Trump’s decision to allow Nvidia and other U.S. chipmakers to sell their H200 AI chips to approved customers in China, a move that partially reverses earlier restrictions and has significant implications for U.S.-China technology competition.

A CSET explainer was highlighted in an article published by Bloomberg. The article discusses new bipartisan legislation that would restrict U.S. companies, including Nvidia, from exporting advanced AI chips to China, reinforcing existing controls and shaping the future of U.S. technology policy.

Sam Bresnick and Cole McFaul shared their expert analysis in an op-ed published by The Hill. In their piece, they explain why relaxing U.S. export controls on advanced AI chips would pose significant national security risks, especially as new evidence shows the Chinese military actively acquiring and using American semiconductors.

CSET’s Helen Toner shared her expert analysis in an article published by The Wall Street Journal. The article discusses China’s accelerated push to compete with the U.S. in generative artificial intelligence.

CSET’s Helen Toner was featured on the 80,000 Hours Podcast, where she discusses AI, national security, and geopolitics. Topics include China’s AI ambitions, military use of AI, global AI adoption, and recent tech leadership changes.

CSET’s Kathleen Curlee shared her expert analysis in an article published by Business Insider. The article examines China’s rapid growth in space-based military capabilities and the growing competition with the United States in orbit. It highlights how these advances could affect a potential conflict over Taiwan, where China could target U.S. satellites that provide critical functions, including surveillance, communications, navigation, and coordination.

China and the U.S. are in a close race for AI supremacy. Helen Toner, CSET executive director, explains the different strategies, with China focusing on open-source development and the U.S. relying on big tech dominance, and what “winning” in AI actually means.