During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a partnership with Chinese President Xi Jinping to collaborate on digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI). This proposal underscores a shared goal of enhancing technological independence and reducing reliance on Western technology. AI has become a critical area of global competition, particularly between the United States and China, as both nations seek to lead in shaping the future of this transformative technology. The competition extends beyond ideological differences and involves control over semiconductors, data, information infrastructure, and AI models. Sebastien Garnault, an expert in digital sovereignty, predicts that the struggle for AI leadership could span the next century. Chinese AI models are increasingly competitive, offering high performance at lower costs, and are gaining traction globally as an alternative to dominant American models. China’s approach focuses on open-source models optimized to use fewer computing resources, allowing its companies to circumvent U.S. restrictions on advanced semiconductors. In contrast, the United States relies heavily on private tech giants and massive investments to build increasingly powerful AI models. China, meanwhile, emphasizes state coordination, collaboration between public and private sectors, and the development of open and affordable AI systems. Additionally, Beijing is pushing its vision of AI governance, with Moscow supporting this effort through the World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation (WAICO). Established in 2026, WAICO includes 29 countries, including Russia, Indonesia, and several African and Latin American nations, offering an alternative to Western-led AI standards and regulations. On the other side, the United States has initiated "Pax Silica," or "silicon peace," an effort to secure critical supply chains for the AI era, including semiconductors, information infrastructure, and AI models. This initiative involves countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia. Anna Collard, a cybersecurity expert, notes that this rivalry is already evident in Africa, where Chinese digital infrastructure plays a significant role. Africa is at a crossroads, balancing between Chinese technologies, Western frameworks, and external influence operations. China is actively attracting countries that feel excluded from Western AI standards by promoting open-source AI models and low-cost training as a "public good." However, this approach could create new dependencies for countries with limited resources. Garnault cautions that true technological independence requires control over data, models, and talent, rather than simply choosing a provider. As AI's potential continues to grow, the global competition for AI leadership is evolving into a new kind of arms race, with major powers vying to shape the future of cyberspace and global technological influence.