Key facts
- A Public First poll of over 18,000 people across 15 countries found that China's AI models are perceived as leading global innovation.
- Respondents in 11 countries, including Canada, Britain, and France, acknowledged China's AI leadership over the US.
- In Germany, only 23% of respondents believed the US was ahead in AI.
- 24% of surveyed Americans thought China was ahead of the US in AI.
- US AI models were considered more trustworthy than Chinese models, with the US ranking second in net trust (+16) behind Japan (+22).
- China ranked 10th in net trust with a negative value of -8.
A new poll by the London-based consultancy Public First indicates that China's artificial intelligence models are widely perceived as leading global innovation, even in countries considered key US allies. The survey, which covered over 18,000 individuals across 15 nations, found that respondents from 11 countries acknowledged China's AI leadership.
Specifically, in Canada, Britain, and France, at least 40% of those polled believed China was outpacing the US in AI capability and innovation. Germany was the least convinced of US leadership, with only 23% of respondents stating the US was ahead.
Among Americans surveyed, nearly a quarter (24%) believed China was ahead of the US in AI, while 51% held the opposite view. The poll did not include respondents from China.
Despite the perception of leadership in innovation, the survey also revealed a significant lag in trust regarding Chinese AI models. When measuring "net trust"—calculated by subtracting the percentage of distrust from the percentage of trust—the US ranked second (+16), following Japan (+22). China, in contrast, placed 10th with a negative net trust value of -8.