Helen Toner

“The best estimates tend to say China's very best models are something like six to nine months behind the very best U.S. models.”

Helen Toner · said 2026-09-14 · reported 2026-09-14

Toner told CNBC's Squawk Box that China's best AI models are estimated to be six to nine months behind U.S. models.

“If that means that we slow down and they just rip past us because they're pretty close behind — that's a problem,”

Helen Toner · said 2026-09-14 · reported 2026-09-14

Toner warned that slowing U.S. AI development while China is close behind could allow China to overtake the U.S.

“It's actually not clear how much of their advancements are sort of fast following. Where if the U.S. frontier slows, perhaps China also slows somewhat.”

Helen Toner · said 2026-09-14 · reported 2026-09-14

Toner noted it is unclear how much of China's AI advancements depend on fast-following U.S. progress.