(Yicai) June 19 -- Iterate.ai sees the artificial intelligence competition between China and the United States as a global spring and not a race toward a future where AI is used to drive positive change, according to a co-founder of the US low-code AI platform.

"While it's true that the US and China are leading the charge in terms of foundational models and well-known large AI models, we're seeing significant advancements in other countries as well," Brian Sathianathan, who is also the chief technology officer of Iterate.ai and was a member of the first iPhone team from 2001 to 2007, told Yicai recently.

"For instance, countries like Japan, South Korea, and the UK are making notable strides in areas like robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing," he added.

The US released 109 foundational models last year, compared with China's 20, according to a report by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered AI released in April. The US also boasts 61 well-known large AI models, while China has 15.

"Chinese innovations in AI are indeed impressive, and it's an exciting space to watch," Sathianathan noted, adding that according to his observations, China has been actively investing in AI research and development, with the surge in the number of AI startups and firms being a testament to its innovative ecosystem. 

Instead of an AI race, there is potential for global cooperation regarding AI challenges and its inappropriate use, including invasion of privacy by illegally collecting and using personal information or the spread of real-looking information generated by AI, Sathianathan noted. There is a need for international collaboration, regulatory frameworks, and education programs to help people understand AI and its implications, he added.

Though California-based Iterate.ai has not entered China and has no plans to target Chinese customers, there are potential partnerships and collaborations with Chinese AI firms and startups, Sathianathan pointed out.

"Chinese innovations in AI are indeed impressive, and it's an exciting space to watch," he said. China's AI has a lot to offer to improve Iterate.ai's products and services, which provides platforms for developers to build, deploy, and manage AI models and foster collaboration among experts while prioritizing privacy and security protection. 

"The true winners in the AI competition will be those who can demonstrate the most value in solving real-world problems, improving lives, and driving sustainable growth in all sectors of society," according to Sathianathan. 

Editor: Martin Kadiev