An AI sign at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai in July 2024. (Ying Tang/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
By a ratio of three to one, Americans are more likely to say that China, rather than the United States, is more advanced in developing artificial intelligence. However, according to a new survey from Pew Research Center, many adults in the U.S. say they aren’t sure who is more advanced.
As the U.S. and China compete for AI supremacy, 43% of Americans say it is extremely or very important for the U.S. to be a global leader in AI development. Another 22% say it is not too important or not at all important.
And as concerns continue about the winners and losers of a global AI race, 51% of Americans say AI will increase the overall gap between rich and poor countries.
These are among other things the results of a survey conducted in June among 3,488 adults.
About this research
This analysis from Pew Research Center examines Americans’ views on global artificial intelligence development. This includes how Americans view the importance of U.S. leadership in AI development; whether the US or China is more advanced in AI; and whether AI will increase or decrease inequality between countries.
Table of Contents
Why did we do this?
The Pew Research Center conducts research to help the public, media and policymakers understand important issues. This research complements the center’s longstanding research on artificial intelligence and the balance of power between the United States and China.
Learn more about the Pew Research Center.
How did we do that?
We surveyed adults in the United States from June 22-28, 2026. Everyone who has participated in these surveys is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel. The polls reflect the views of the entire U.S. adult population.
Here you will find our survey questions, detailed answers and methodology.
Are the US or China more advanced in developing AI?
More Americans believe China is more advanced than the U.S. in developing AI (36%) than say the U.S. is more advanced than China (12%). Another 18% say the two countries are about equally advanced. And 33% are unsure which country is more advanced in developing AI.
More Americans think China is a leader in AI development than the U.S., but a third are unsure
% who say that when it comes to developing artificial intelligence (AI)…
Note: Those who have not responded will not be displayed.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026.
PEW Research Center
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More Americans think China is a leader in AI development than the U.S., but a third are unsure
% who say that when it comes to developing artificial intelligence (AI)…
| The USA is more advanced than China | Both are equally advanced | China is more advanced than the USA | Spacers | Not sure | grouping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US adults | 12 | 18 | 36 | 19 | 33 | all |
| Men | 18 | 22 | 31 | 14 | 29 | Gender |
| Women | 7 | 14 | 41 | 23 | 37 | Gender |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 17 | 20 | 30 | 18 | 33 | party |
| You/reject them | 9 | 16 | 43 | 17 | 32 | party |
| Uses AI chatbots | 16 | 20 | 36 | 13 | 28 | use |
| Does not use AI chatbots | 9 | 16 | 36 | 24 | 38 | use |
Note: Those who have not responded will not be displayed.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026.
PEW Research Center
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There are interesting demographic gaps in this question:
- Men are much more likely than women to say the U.S. is more advanced in AI development than China (18% vs. 7%). But more men and women still say China is more advanced (31% and 41%, respectively).
- Republicans and those who lean toward the Republican Party are more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to say the U.S. is a leader in AI (17% vs. 9%). But again, more in each coalition say China is the leader.
There are also some differences depending on whether people ever use AI chatbots. Americans who don’t use them are less confident about AI development. Those who use AI chatbots are more likely to say the U.S. is a leader than those who don’t (16% vs. 9%). Nevertheless, just as many respondents (36% each) believe that China is more advanced than the USA
Related: People in many countries now view China more positively than the USA
How important is it for the US to lead the way in AI?
Most Americans believe it is at least somewhat important that the United States leads the world in AI development. Around four out of ten respondents say this is the case extremely or very important, while 22% say it is not too important or not at all important.
Most Americans, to varying degrees, believe it is important for the United States to be a leader in AI development
% who say it is __ important for the U.S. to be a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) development
Note: Those who have not responded will not be displayed.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026.
PEW Research Center
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Most Americans, to varying degrees, believe it is important for the United States to be a leader in AI development
% who say it is __ important for the U.S. to be a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) development
| Extreme/Very | Something | Not too/Not at all | grouping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US adults | 43 | 34 | 22 | All |
| Men | 50 | 31 | 18 | Gender |
| Women | 36 | 36 | 25 | Gender |
| Ages 18-29 | 26 | 37 | 36 | Old |
| 30-49 | 37 | 35 | 25 | Old |
| 50-64 | 51 | 33 | 16 | Old |
| 65+ | 56 | 30 | 11 | Old |
| Some college or less | 39 | 35 | 24 | Training |
| Bachelor + | 50 | 31 | 18 | Training |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 54 | 32 | 14 | party |
| You/reject them | 34 | 35 | 29 | party |
Note: Those who have not responded will not be displayed.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026.
PEW Research Center
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Men are more likely than women to say AI leadership is extremely or very important (50% vs. 36%). There is a similar gap between Americans with and without a bachelor’s degree (50% vs. 39%).
Older adults are also much more likely than younger adults to think the U.S. should be a leader in AI. In fact, people aged 65 and over are more than twice as likely to say this is extremely or very important as those aged 18 to 29.
Additionally, 54% of Republicans say it is important to be an AI leader, compared to 34% of Democrats. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has declared that the US “must have the most powerful AI systems in the world” and is “in a race for global dominance in artificial intelligence.” Former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, also stressed that AI technology should be kept away from adversaries like China to prevent them from using it for cyberattacks or for military reinforcement.
Related: Do Americans think the country is losing or gaining ground in science?
Will AI widen the gap between rich and poor countries?
Americans see AI widening the gap between rich and poor countries
% of US adults who say artificial intelligence (AI)…
Note: Due to rounding, the numbers do not add up to 100%. Anyone who has not responded will not be shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026.
PEW Research Center
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Americans see AI widening the gap between rich and poor countries
% of US adults who say artificial intelligence (AI)…
| category | percentage |
|---|---|
| Widen the gap between rich and poor countries | 51% |
| Reduce the gap between rich and poor countries | 7% |
| Doesn’t make much of a difference | 16% |
| Not sure | 25% |
Note: Due to rounding, the numbers do not add up to 100%. Anyone who has not responded will not be shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026.
PEW Research Center
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Amid concerns about unequal access to AI around the world, 51% of Americans say AI will widen the gap between rich and poor countries. Fewer say AI won’t make a big difference (16%) or will narrow the gap (7%). A quarter is unsafe.
Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say AI will increase inequality (60% vs. 45%). Americans with a bachelor’s degree are also more likely than those without a bachelor’s degree to think the gap between countries will widen (62% vs. 46%).
And Americans who use AI chatbots are more likely to say so than those who don’t use them (55% vs. 47%).
Note: You can find our survey questions for this analysis, detailed answers, and survey methodology here.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/07/23/what-americans-think-about-the-global-ai-race/
