Spent time with AI founders in Shenzhen/Shanghai. The vibe? Surprisingly bearish on China vs US in the AI race.
Here's the data:
• China AI compute utilization: 36.8% (2025)
• $H100 rental prices:
- US: $2.96/GPU hr
- China: $2.05/GPU hr
US GPU demand is 44% higher. That's not just a price gap—it's a conviction gap.
Sentiment drives talent. And right now, the flow isn't looking good for China.
This isn't just about chips. It's about who's building the future—and where the best builders want to be.
Here's the data:
• China AI compute utilization: 36.8% (2025)
• $H100 rental prices:
- US: $2.96/GPU hr
- China: $2.05/GPU hr
US GPU demand is 44% higher. That's not just a price gap—it's a conviction gap.
Sentiment drives talent. And right now, the flow isn't looking good for China.
This isn't just about chips. It's about who's building the future—and where the best builders want to be.
