US and Chinese companies together build 90% of the world's most-used AI models, according to OpenRouter data analyzed by Our World in Data. China's share has tripled in just 15 months, while US dominance has declined.
TL;DR
- US and Chinese companies build 90% of the top 50 AI models, with China's share growing rapidly.
- US companies still dominate, but their presence in the top 50 has decreased since early 2025.
- Very few top-50 models come from companies outside the US and China, highlighting limited global diversity.
What happened
OpenRouter, a platform that allows users to interact with AI models, tracks the 50 most-used models daily. Analyzing this data, Our World in Data found that US-based companies account for most of the top 50 models, but their presence has declined since early 2025. Meanwhile, China-based companies have rapidly increased their share, from 5 models in January 2025 to 20 in May 2026.
The analysis highlights a significant shift in the AI landscape, with China's share of the top 50 models tripling in just 15 months. This growth reflects the increasing investment and development of AI technologies in China. However, very few top-50 models come from companies outside the United States and China, indicating limited global diversity in AI model development.
Why it matters
For AI/ML developers and startup founders, this data underscores the competitive landscape and the importance of understanding the origins and capabilities of the models they use. The rapid growth of Chinese AI models suggests that developers should pay close attention to advancements from Chinese companies.
For tech investors, the data highlights the dominance of US and Chinese companies in the AI sector. The rapid rise of Chinese models may present new investment opportunities, while the declining share of US models could indicate a shifting competitive dynamic.
Key facts
- US-based companies account for most of the top 50 AI models on OpenRouter.
- China-based companies have increased their share from 5 models in January 2025 to 20 in May 2026.
- US companies' presence in the top 50 has declined since early 2025.
- Very few top-50 models come from companies outside the US and China.
- Canada was represented early in 2025 by Cohere's Command R models.
- France remains represented by Mistral AI's NeMo model.
- The analysis was conducted by Our World in Data using OpenRouter's daily top 50 models data.
Context
The dominance of US and Chinese companies in AI model development reflects the significant investment and research efforts in these countries. The rapid growth of Chinese models highlights the increasing competitiveness of Chinese AI companies in the global market. For developers, startups, and investors, understanding this landscape is crucial for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving AI industry.