AI Around The World In 2026

InnovationAIAI Around The World In 2026ByJohn Werner,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I am an MIT Senior Fellow & Lecturer, 5x-founder & VC investing in AIFollow AuthorMay 11, 2026, 02:27pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Digitally Generated Image , 3D renderedgettyWhat does artificial intelligence look like around the world?Presumably, there are any number of think tanks and independent researchers focused on this question, and others having to do with how nations handle AI. As with the general trajectory of the technologies, there’s a lot that’s unknown, but there are also observable trends and notions that interested parties can use to speculate on what we’re most likely to see in the next few years.Part of the backdrop that almost has to be mentioned is the Sino-American “AI race,” where the U.S. White House famously waffled on whether to give China’s market access to Nvidia H100s, H200s, B200s, etc. But there’s a lot more context, too.Analysis from StanfordLast week, I wrote about the new merger of Stanford’s HAI lab, and the data science initiative. Here are some takeaways from Stanford HAI’s report for 2026:· AI capability is not plateauing. It is accelerating and reaching more people than ever.· The U.S.-China AI model performance gap has effectively closed.· The United States hosts the most AI data centers, with the majority of their chips fabricated by one Taiwanese foundry.Number three is notable, because the control of foundry service is, by any measure, a big deal, a “choke point,” as one expert calls it – (read on.)MORE FOR YOUMore from BostonSpeaking of Stanford HAI, in a segment of our Imagination in Action event at MIT April 9-10, we had a panel talking about today’s international realities around AI. (Imagination in Action, with which I am affiliated, runs a number of annual events centered on technology...