As the United States builds a 6G alliance with more than 20 countries across Europe and Asia, analysts say Washington’s efforts to counter Beijing’s growing influence in the next-generation technology face short-term challenges. The initiative aimed to “secure leadership in the next generation of global communications”, the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration said this week. Unlike previous generations of mobile networks that focused primarily on faster connectivity, 6G is expected to integrate artificial intelligence, sensing and computing capabilities, enabling applications ranging from autonomous systems to humanoid robots. 05:19 What is 6G, and why is China racing ahead of the US and Europe with the technology? “Its primary objective is to gain greater influence over 6G standards-setting and shape the rules of the next-generation technology race, after what it views as a weaker position during the 5G era.