July 28, 2026

Brookings Institution’s Kyle Chan discusses China’s AI race

In a discussion about China’s progress in developing frontier AI models, Soumaya Keynes talks to Kyle Chan of the Brookings Institution, highlighting the complex dynamics of the AI race. Chinese policymakers adopt broad industrial strategies that aim to excel in various high-tech sectors simultaneously, rather than treating AI as a standalone focus. This contrasts with the U.S. approach, which underscores the need for clearer frameworks to assess risks associated with Chinese technology in the AI field. The conversation illustrates how the competition between the U.S. and China in AI development is complicated by differing national goals and strategic priorities.

Kyle Chan: Kyle Chan is a fellow at the Brookings Institution’s John L. Thornton China Center, specializing in China’s industrial policy and technology advancement across sectors including AI. He joined Brookings in late 2025 and has contributed to 2026 analyses questioning simplistic AI race narratives between the US and China while examining policy incentives. His recent commentary highlights China’s coordinated approach to critical technologies.
Soumaya Keynes: Soumaya Keynes is the host of The Economics Show, a weekly podcast from the Financial Times that features conversations on economic policy, technology impacts, and global developments. She recently conducted interviews exploring AI’s effects on research, productivity, and international competition. Her work emphasizes accessible analysis of complex topics like frontier technologies.
Brookings Institution: The Brookings Institution is a prominent Washington-based think tank that conducts research on public policy, foreign affairs, and economic issues through its various centers and programs. Its John L. Thornton China Center focuses on China-related policy analysis, including technology and industrial developments. Kyle Chan, a fellow in this center, contributes expertise on China’s tech strategies in recent discussions and publications from mid-2026.

China Tech Policy: Chinese policymakers prioritize broad industrial strategies to lead in multiple high-tech areas simultaneously rather than isolating AI as a singular competitive sprint.
Brookings Analysis: Recent Brookings discussions emphasize the need for clearer US frameworks to assess risks from Chinese technology products and investments in the AI domain.
US-China AI Approaches: The framework of an AI race between the US and China oversimplifies differing national goals and strategic priorities in artificial intelligence development.

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