Nations sharpen AI strategies as global competition heats up

The U.S. and China have been getting lots of attention lately for the AI-focused startups, talent and investment coming out of these two countries. AI startups in the U.S. and China are garnering eyebrow-raising funding rounds. Case in point: SenseTime, a Chinese startup, is now the most valuable AI startup in the world having raised $1.6 billion to date. In 2017 alone, AI-focused startups raised a staggering $12 billion, and investment shows no signs of slowing down in the years ahead. The Chinese government sees AI as a strategic imperative and is investing heavily into developing the industry.