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Noema ·Future-gazing

China’s Open AI Models Are Advancing Its Global Soft Power

by Nathan Gardels

Published 2026-07-10 16:02:38+00:00

If the whole world uses Chinese code, whose stories will the computers tell?

0:00 / 8:10 · Narrator Algieba

Context

Nathan Gardels traces a strange reversal in the race to build the world's AI in this piece from 10 July 2026. While American labs keep their most powerful technology under lock and key, Chinese companies are handing out the blueprints for theirs for free. This strategy is turning Chinese code into the invisible plumbing for developers in cities from Cairo to Nairobi. It raises a question about influence that goes beyond speed or scale: if one nation provides the tools everyone uses to think and build, do they also get to set the values?

Show notes

Chinese technology companies are gaining global influence by releasing artificial intelligence models that are free for anyone to download and use. While American firms keep their most advanced systems private, these accessible Chinese alternatives are being widely adopted in regions like Africa. This shift creates new risks for international security and increases the need for safety agreements between the U.S. and China.

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