Chinese universities are closing the gap with U.S. institutions in AI research and patents. Analysis shows Tsinghua University now produces more of the world’s most‑cited AI papers and has filed thousands of AI‑related patents since 2005, including a sharp uptick last year. The rise accompanies national AI curriculum changes and a pipeline that graduates millions of STEM students annually. That surge comes as research spending patterns shift globally: a separate analysis warns China may already be outspending the U.S. on R&D in some areas. For U.S. research universities the twin developments mean fiercer competition for talent, collaborations, and grants — raising questions about talent retention, research partnerships, and where federal research dollars should flow.