AI Supremacy: US Warns Race Winner Will Dominate Global Economy, Military

The global battle for Artificial Intelligence (AI) supremacy isn't just a tech rivalry; it's a fight for who leads the world in the 21st century, according to Emil Michael, the US Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering. Speaking at a Breitbart News policy event this week, Michael declared that whichever nation, the United States or China, wins the AI Race will ultimately dominate both economically and militarily, echoing a stark warning about the future balance of global power. This isn't just talk; it's a clear reflection of Washington's intensifying focus on AI as a core component of national security. The Department of War rolled out its 'Artificial Intelligence Strategy' in January 2026, aiming to create an 'AI-first warfighting force' and has rapidly integrated the technology, with approximately 1.7 million personnel now using AI for various departmental functions. Meanwhile, the US is actively pushing global allies to choose sides in this technological split, championing initiatives like Pax Silica while China counters with its own 'World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization'. The competition is razor-sharp, with recent reports indicating that while the US leads in overall AI model performance, China is closing the gap, developing models that can match US capabilities at a significantly lower cost. Looking ahead, expect to see continued aggressive US policies, including tightened export controls on advanced AI chips, to slow China progress, while the Pentagon pours billions into its own AI development, with a fiscal year 2026 budget exceeding $2.5 billion for AI initiatives alone. This strategic tug-of-war will likely define geopolitical alignments and economic partnerships for decades to come, as both superpowers race to secure their technological future and, by extension, their global influence. The stakes are nothing less than global leadership.