US has acquired 72% of the world’s AI compute since 2022, Epoch AI data shows

The United States has acquired 72% of the world’s AI compute since 2022. That is the headline number from new research by Epoch AI, built from its AI Chip Imports explorer and published on October 27, 2026. America’s share of newly acquired compute hit 78% in the first half of 2026, which suggests the gap is widening rather than closing. What the numbers say Epoch AI’s findings break down into a few key figures. The US took 72% of newly acquired compute in 2025, matching its cumulative share since 2022. Then came 2026. In the first half of the year, the US share of new compute climbed to 78%. China, the country most often framed as America’s AI rival, sits far behind. Epoch AI puts its share of global AI compute at about 10%. That figure gets more interesting next to a second one. By raw chip count, China accounts for around 18% of AI chips. By actual compute performance, it holds only 10%. According to the research, the discrepancy comes from China’s reliance on lower-performance chip models, along with compliance with export regulations. Following the chips through customs The methodology is arguably as notable as the results. Rather than relying on company disclosures or industr...