US still tops AI index, but China surges up the rankings

17th February 2026

We have updated our proprietary AI Economic Impact Index, which ranks major economies according to their ability to realise the long-run benefits of AI. The US still leads. The Asian tigers and UK remain other key beneficiaries. And Europe remains a bit of a mixed picture. But the big change is China’s jump in the rankings, due to an improved outlook for its ability to diffuse AI throughout its economy.

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