The Global AI Competitiveness Index, released Monday by Deep Knowledge Group, a consortium focused on deep-tech research, analytics, and investment, gave China a score of 85.3, citing its "major scale in AI, biotechnology and talent," according to the South China Morning Post.

The U.S. topped the list with 93.1 points, supported by its strong research infrastructure, hospital networks, private investment, and commercialization pathways.

The U.K. ranked second with 87.6 points, benefiting from its healthcare system, translational medicine base, and regulatory credibility.

According to the report, leadership in biomedical AI depends not only on the size of a country’s research base, but also on its ability to combine AI and biotech capabilities, digital healthcare infrastructure, regulated data access, trustworthy oversight, and commercialization channels.

Scientists of the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences discuss the progress of their experiment in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy of Chinese Academy of Sciences

At the city level, Hong Kong ranked third among 20 innovation hubs, behind Boston and San Francisco, but ahead of London and New York City.

The report said Hong Kong’s advantages include access to capital markets, institutional credibility, well-regulated deployment conditions, and stronger links with the Greater Bay Area.

The ranking comes after China’s National Health Commission and four other agencies released a late-2025 plan to expand AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment in primary healthcare nationwide by 2030, according to Tech in Asia.

Hong Kong’s 2025 policy agenda also includes support for generative AI in clinical workflows and digital pathology.