Published: 2 Sep 2025

Author: Ryan Hass

As China and the US intensify competition in the AI domain, Southeast Asia countries will find themselves in the same old dilemma of “not choosing sides”.

Leaders in Beijing and Washington believe that whichever country achieves dominance in AI will enjoy a decisive economic, strategic, and military advantage. If there is one idea that leaders in both countries share, it is that they cannot afford to lose the “AI race” to the other, even though there is very little clarity on where the finish line is or what it would represent. 

For full article, please open the link:

https://fulcrum.sg/us-china-ai-competition-southeast-asia-will-need-to-strike-a-balance/

The article was published by ISEAS.

IRSEA and ISEAS have agreed to enter into a relationship of cooperation.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or view of IRSEA