The United States has emerged as the undeniable leader in the global landscape of AI startups and private-sector investment, an analysis by S&P Global reveals. Over the past decade, the U.S. has witnessed the establishment of a staggering 5,509 AI companies, surpassing the combined total of all other countries. This figure is nearly four times higher than the number of AI startups founded in China, which secured the second position with 1,446. The remaining top five countries include the United Kingdom with 727 AI startups, Israel with 442, and Canada with 397.
The prominence of the U.S. in the AI sector is further highlighted by the substantial private-sector investment it has attracted. Cumulatively, the U.S. secured an impressive $335.2 billion in AI investments during the 2013-2023 timeframe. In comparison, China’s private sector accounted for $103.7 billion, while the United Kingdom received $22.3 billion, Israel secured $12.8 billion, and Canada obtained $10.6 billion in investments.
However, it is important to note that government involvement significantly impacts AI investments. S&P Global emphasized that a significant portion of China’s AI spending originates from the public sector, making it less transparent compared to private investments. China has implemented a comprehensive three-year AI development action plan, specifically focusing on creating a skilled domestic AI workforce and enticing foreign talent for AI projects.
Considering the global landscape, S&P Global estimated that private-sector AI investments worldwide amounted to a substantial sum, demonstrating the widespread recognition of the potential of artificial intelligence.