President Donald Trump has emphasized preventing China from accessing America’s top technology as a key part of his AI strategy. With Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington on September 24, artificial intelligence will be a primary focus of discussion. The two countries have been negotiating whether to integrate a delayed AI dialogue into a broader economic session.
Trump’s perspective on AI competition is stark. “WHOEVER WINS AI, WINS!” he stated on Truth Social, suggesting that regulations could favor China. This competition rests heavily on foreign talent, notably from China.
The Role of Chinese Experts
Many of the researchers contributing to America’s AI edge come from China. For instance, Yao Shunyu, educated at Tsinghua and Princeton, left OpenAI to join Tencent in 2025. Yao aims to develop an advanced AI research organization in China. Similarly, Yang Zhilin, a Tsinghua graduate and Carnegie Mellon Ph.D. holder, returned to China to launch Moonshot AI, which has made significant strides with its Kimi model series.
Friction over the years has led to such moves. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace describes visa uncertainty and broader suspicion post-2018 as factors influencing Chinese researchers’ decisions.
Carnegie tracked 100 top-tier Chinese-origin AI researchers in the U.S. by 2019, noting that by 2025, 10 moved back to China to establish companies or take leadership roles. Despite this, 87 remained in the U.S., with many working for major tech firms like Google and Amazon.
The Decline in Chinese Talent Attraction
Attracting future AI talent is becoming more challenging for the U.S. The Paulson Institute reports a decrease in Chinese researchers staying in the U.S., with increasing numbers moving to China. Carnegie attributes this trend to proposed visa restrictions and indictments of Chinese researchers, although many charges were later dismissed.
A survey found that 42% of Chinese-identifying university researchers felt profiled by the U.S. government. Flight connections remain low, intensifying the situation. Departures include renowned scholars moving to Chinese institutions.
Repercussions and Recommendations
The competitive landscape remains uncertain. Opinions differ on how to measure victory in the AI race. American figures emphasize the importance of remaining at the forefront of AI technology and deployment.
Experts suggest the aim should be technological advancement that translates to practical benefits. Carnegie recommends investing in American education, research funding, and establishing a welcoming environment for top AI researchers, including those from China. Conversations surrounding these initiatives are lacking for the upcoming meetings.