The rise of Chinese open-weight artificial intelligence models has American startups racing to build counterparts. “Every tier-one VC pretty much said no,” said Mark McQuade, CEO of Arcee AI, which has developed an AI model users can download and customize as an alternative to up-and-coming AI tools from China. Companies have begun embracing these models, WSJ said, as the size of their AI bills have shot up. The relevant question is not whether open-weight AI will defeat proprietary AI,” that report said. For all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter.