China’s strategic ambition is reminiscent of the pioneering spirit of the Apollo missions that won the Space Race for the U.S. The West’s current trajectory may not be enough to outmaneuver China in the global AI and technological dominance race. Sputnik 1, the first Soviet artificial satellite, was launched on October 4, 1957, which sparked the so-called Space Race. Alibaba and Baidu are developing domestic AI accelerators to lessen dependence on imports. China’s AI chip market is projected to reach $8.17 billion in 2025 and grow at a compound annual rate of about 30.69 percent, to exceed $31.16 billion by 2030.