The global artificial intelligence landscape is increasingly dominated by the United States and China, raising questions about whether Europe can establish itself as a distinct third pole or remain aligned with Washington's technological sphere.

In June 2026, the US expanded its Pax Silica framework, designed to secure supply chains for critical technologies like microchips and AI, by signing up 10 additional partners, bringing the total to 24 countries. Shortly after, 29 countries signed an agreement in Shanghai to create the World AI Cooperation Organisation, a Chinese-led initiative aimed particularly at the Global South.

According to the 2026 Global AI Innovation Index, produced by China’s Institute of Scientific and Technical Information and Peking University, the US and China remain far ahead of other nations. The index, which assessed 46 countries on AI innovation and development, scored the US highest with 78.44 points, followed by China at 60.49. The UK ranked third with 39.99 points, more than 20 points behind China, while Germany and France placed sixth and seventh respectively.

Stanford’s 2026 AI Index Report also highlighted the US lead, noting it produced 59 notable AI models last year compared to China’s 35 and only two from Europe.

China is actively pitching its AI models to Europe, but it remains uncertain if this effort will be sufficient to break the emerging two-horse race between the US and China in AI dominance.

Sources