On 3 June 2026, in close cooperation with the Permanent Representation of Sweden in EU, we were pleased to organise a roundtable discussion on China's AI prospects and the choices facing Europe.
Held under Chatham House rules, the exchange explored the trajectory of China's artificial intelligence industry, the implications of intensifying US-China technological competition, and the strategic choices facing Europe.
Panellists discussed the prospects of China's AI industry, whether its ambitions mirror those of the US or reflect a distinct approach centred on the large-scale diffusion of AI technologies. The conversation also examined how Chinese firms continue to produce competitive models despite US export controls and hardware constraints, raising questions about whether China will remain a fast follower or emerge as a technological leader in its own right.
The discussion further addressed Europe's position in the global AI landscape, highlighting its overdependence on US technology providers and the risks of falling further behind in the AI race due to EU regulations and lengthy decision-making processes.
Participants also examined energy as a potential bottleneck for AI development, noting the implications of China's rapid expansion of power generation and computing capacity that the US cannot match.
We would like to thank Johan Ekerhult (Permanent Representation of Sweden in EU) for delivering the opening remarks, and to Martin Chorzempa (Peterson Institute for International Economics), Rogier Creemers (Leiden University), Sabrina Kuspert (European Commission) and Maximilian Negele (Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative) for sharing their expertise. The discussion was moderated by Tim Rühlig (EU Institute for Security Studies).
