Chinese President Xi Jinping has bluntly questioned a nationwide rush of investment into the AI and EV industries. As deflation anxiety grows and Trump’s trade war with China ramps up, the world’s second largest economy is turning to fast-growth tech industries to remain competitive.

China's top leadership has recently pledged to curb "involutionary" competition amid intense price wars in the country.

At the Beijing Expo, Jensen Huang also announced plans for a new chip for Chinese clients that is designed for robotics and smart factories.

Embracing the controversial technology might help retailer Pop Mart adapt the fad before it fizzles, but the cultural consequences in the U.S. could be dire.

But the fact that America or China will win this contest should not turn other countries into mere spectators. Even more important for their economies and societies is the other AI race, the one for “everyday AI ”: the deployment and diffusion of the technology across the whole of the nation.

China has invested billions into its artificial intelligence ambitions, aiming to be a leader in the global tech landscape. At the Beyond Expo in Macao, CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout explores the country’s latest breakthroughs and its growing influence in the world of AI.

China’s free-for-all AI models, developed by firms like DeepSeek and Alibaba, present a viable alternative to US closed-source systems.

The rollout is expected to include pushing for speedier permitting for data center buildouts and promoting US tech exports.