China’s AI Ambition: Eroding the US Military’s Tech Edge

At China’s Victory Day parade in September 2025, the focus wasn’t on traditional displays of military might, but on next-generation weapons systems. Uncrewed ground vehicles, underwater and aerial drones, and collaborative combat aircraft – autonomous jets designed to work alongside piloted aircraft – were presented as central to the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) future fighting force. This exhibition signaled Beijing’s ambition to challenge the United States’ technological advantage on the battlefield.

China’s long-planned military modernization is unfolding in three phases: mechanization, informatization, and intelligentization. The PLA has made substantial progress in the first two, acquiring modern equipment and connecting those platforms through digital networks. Now, the focus is shifting decisively toward the third phase – integrating artificial intelligence into military operations.

Analysis of publicly available PLA procurement requests over the last three years reveals the urgency with which China is pursuing this “intelligentization” drive. The PLA is prototyping AI capabilities to pilot unmanned combat vehicles, detect and respond to cyberattacks, track vessels at sea, and identify targets on land, in the air, and in space. They are also developing systems to analyze vast amounts of data to improve decision-making, and tools to create deepfake images and videos for disinformation campaigns. This represents a broad effort to rapidly integrate AI into all aspects of its military.

The United States, meanwhile, has taken steps that could hinder its own AI development for defense purposes, such as declaring the AI company Anthropic a supply chain risk. Whereas the U.S. Military retains advantages in computing power, technical talent, and operational experience, maintaining that lead will require accelerating AI prototyping and scaling successful systems.

A Revolution in Military Affairs

Chinese strategists believe AI will trigger a new revolution in military affairs, comparable to the impact of mechanization during World War II. They envision future wars as “system of systems” confrontations, where militaries target the critical nodes of their adversaries’ interconnected systems. Victory, according to this view, will depend on the ability to disrupt an enemy’s command-and-control, logistics, and strike capabilities. AI is seen as essential to this vision, enabling operators to identify vulnerabilities and improve the speed and effectiveness of military decisions.

The PLA’s AI ambitions have been publicly emphasized by Chinese leaders, and state media regularly reports on new uncrewed and autonomous vehicles. The military is developing swarms of aerial drones capable of identifying, tracking, and coordinating attacks. They are also requesting robotics platforms, including robotic dogs and humanoid robots. China is actively seeking to repurpose commercial technologies for defense applications, leveraging its advanced industrial capabilities and fostering rapid iteration and adaptation.

Procurement documents demonstrate a growing interest in AI technologies that accelerate decision-making. Chinese leaders reportedly lack confidence in the PLA’s chain of command and believe AI-powered systems can help overcome limited battlefield experience by providing enhanced situational awareness and predictive analysis.

Cyber Warfare and Cognitive Operations

The PLA’s AI experimentation extends to cyber and information operations. They are developing AI tools to automate the detection of cyber intrusions, enhance the resilience of military communications, and augment cyber-offensive capabilities. A significant emphasis is placed on “cognitive warfare” techniques, including the development of deepfake technologies for influencing public opinion and manipulating adversaries’ perceptions during conflicts.

The PLA is also applying AI to counter U.S. Advantages in space and at sea. They are pursuing algorithms for satellite targeting and developing antisatellite weapons, including robotic systems designed to disable enemy space platforms. In the maritime domain, they are experimenting with autonomous underwater vehicles and deploying advanced sensors to track undersea activity, with the goal of tracking U.S. Submarines.

This represents a comprehensive, whole-of-force transformation, rather than a series of isolated acquisitions. China aims to build a military that leverages advanced technologies to learn, adapt, and craft decisions quickly and accurately across all warfighting domains.

Mirroring U.S. Initiatives

Many of the PLA’s AI initiatives resemble major U.S. Military programs. Both countries are pursuing uncrewed and autonomous vehicles, computer vision models for analyzing imagery, and predictive maintenance systems. The PLA is requesting large quantities of low-cost drones, similar to the Pentagon’s Replicator Initiative. Requests for proposals also mirror aspects of the U.S. Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiative, which aims to connect military branches through a shared network.

These parallels suggest a potential cycle of iterative technological changes, where each side responds to the other’s advancements. The outcome will depend on which force can develop and scale novel capabilities faster. Given the rapid pace of technological evolution, maintaining a lasting advantage will be challenging.

However, the PLA’s approach isn’t simply imitation. While the U.S. Military emphasizes human judgment in AI-assisted decision-making, the PLA may be more inclined to rely on AI systems, potentially due to concerns about the experience level of its officer corps. This reliance could lead to misinterpretations and unsound decisions.

The Importance of Computing Power and Data

China’s path to intelligentization won’t be without obstacles. Integrating AI across the force and deploying it effectively on the battlefield will be challenging. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that developing the technology is only part of the equation; effective deployment requires trained operators and robust logistical support. Access to relevant data, such as classified imagery and electromagnetic signatures, is also crucial, and the PLA currently lacks extensive combat experience and the associated data sets.

Despite these challenges, the PLA’s rapid prototyping and experimentation will accelerate its learning and improvement. This underscores the need for the United States to streamline its military acquisition processes, foster closer partnerships with AI labs, and prioritize the development of standards and regulations to manage information warfare and counter disinformation. The United States must also address the recent decision to restrict access to AI technologies from companies like Anthropic, as such actions could hinder its own defense innovation.

The PLA is intent on developing AI to gain a military advantage over the United States. The speed of China’s progress, combined with its unique approach to AI-enabled warfare, presents a significant challenge. To maintain its edge, the United States must prioritize rapid AI iteration, responsible experimentation, and strategic commercial partnerships.