Compete

The AI arms race’s sneakiest tactic

Politico
| April 29, 2026

CSET’s Kyle Miller shared his expert insight in a newsletter published by Politico. The newsletter examines concerns over Chinese efforts to use “distillation” techniques to replicate capabilities from U.S. frontier AI models, and the debate in Washington over whether the practice poses a major national security threat or a manageable technical issue.

CSET’s Helen Toner shared her expert insight in an article published by the South China Morning Post. The article examines growing US concerns over Chinese AI companies using “distillation” techniques to replicate advanced American AI models at lower cost, and how potential US restrictions could reshape China’s AI industry.

CSET’s Kathleen Curlee shared her expert insight in an article published by Reuters. The article examines how NASA’s Artemis progress is intensifying geopolitical competition with China as both countries advance plans for crewed lunar missions and long-term presence on the Moon.

The competition between the United States and China regarding artificial intelligence (AI) is entering a new phase and is increasingly focused on influencing the global AI ecosystem. Although national security is an important consideration in the U.S.-China AI rivalry, it represents only one dimension of a broader and nuanced competition.

CSET’s Lauren Kahn shared her expert insight in an article published by the Financial Times. The article examines the challenges Gulf states face as they rely on fighter jets and costly missiles to intercept large numbers of low-cost Iranian drones, raising concerns about sustainability and defense costs.

China’s AI Arsenal

Foreign Affairs
| March 2, 2026

Sam Bresnick, Emelia Probasco, and Cole McFaul shared their expert analysis in an op-ed published by Foreign Affairs. In their piece, they examine China’s rapid push to integrate artificial intelligence into its military modernization strategy and the implications for U.S. national security.

CSET’s Helen Toner was featured on CNN News Central, where she discussed the accelerating global AI race and the challenges it poses. She explored China’s rapid advancement in AI, the shift from chatbots to autonomous AI agents capable of performing complex tasks, and the growing use of AI to develop AI itself.

China’s Military AI Wish List

Emelia Probasco, Sam Bresnick, and Cole McFaul
| February 2026

This report examines thousands of Chinese-language open-source requests for proposal (RFPs) published by the People’s Liberation Army between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. The RFPs the authors reviewed offer insights into the PLA’s priorities and ambitions for AI-enabled military technologies associated with C5ISRT: command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting.

The AI race: US and China defence sectors emerge as key battlegrounds

South China Morning Post
| February 5, 2026

CSET’s Sam Bresnick shared his expert perspective in an article published by the South China Morning Post. The article examines the AI competition between the United States and China, rising US defense spending proposals, and how both countries are racing to integrate artificial intelligence into their military systems.

Taiwan’s Flagship Chip Maker Charts a Future Beyond Taiwan

The Wall Street Journal
| January 16, 2026

CSET’s Sam Bresnick shared his expert perspective in an article published by The Wall Street Journal. The article examines how TSMC’s expanding global footprint, especially its growing U.S. chip investments, is reshaping strategic thinking about Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and challenging the idea that its chips alone serve as a “Silicon Shield” against Chinese aggression.