Since the debut of ChatGPT in 2022, generative artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly proliferated, primarily driven by prominent U.S. tech companies. However, several European and Chinese rivals are also emerging as significant players in this evolving arena.

Leading the Way: OpenAI

OpenAI, based in the United States, stands as the trailblazer in generative AI, having set off a wave of mainstream AI adoption with the release of ChatGPT. The launch spurred substantial investment interest, with OpenAI raising US$20 billion, notably from its major stakeholder Microsoft. Talks of securing an additional US$40 billion are reportedly underway, as of January 2023. Conceived as a non-profit by CEO Sam Altman, along with other Silicon Valley influencers including Elon Musk, OpenAI is gradually transitioning to a profit-driven business model.

USA Challenger: Anthropic

Formed by ex-OpenAI employees Dario and Daniela Amodei in 2021, Anthropic presents itself as a challenger with its Claude model, emphasizing enhanced safety measures. While it hasn't matched OpenAI's fundraising, Anthropic has attracted attention from industry giants. Amazon has invested US$8 billion, with Google’s parent company Alphabet contributing US$3 billion, bringing Anthropic's total funding to US$12.9 billion.

Established Tech Titans: Google and Meta

OpenAI's introduction of ChatGPT ignited an innovation race among tech giants like Meta and Google. Meta launched its Llama model and subsequently progressed to versions 2 and 3 while integrating AI functionalities within its platforms—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. Although Meta has restricted access in Europe due to regulatory uncertainties, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced significant AI investments, potentially up to US$65 billion annually.

Meanwhile, Google released its Bard chatbot, later rebranded as Gemini in 2024. Google's Deepmind AI division remains reticent on precise investment figures, though it continues to be an influential force in AI development.

France's Aspiring Force: Mistral

Emerging from France, Mistral was established in May 2023 by tech-savvy founders Arthur Mensch, Guillaume Lample, and Timothee Lacroix, who previously honed their skills in major tech research labs. Upon launching, Mistral secured €100 million in funding, positioning itself as a European alternative to the U.S. giants. Its chatbot, ‘Le Chat’, debuted in 2024, supported by collaborations like the one with Microsoft, which involved a US$15 million investment. Mistral aims for an independent future and has amassed over €1 billion in funding so far.

China’s Disruptive Entry: DeepSeek

The Chinese startup DeepSeek made waves with its R1 chatbot, unveiled in January, shaking the tech landscape and affecting stocks like Nvidia’s. Known for delivering similar outputs at a fraction of the cost, DeepSeek’s R1 has been lauded by figures such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Nonetheless, OpenAI has accused several entities, including DeepSeek, of ‘distilling’ its models.

Newcomer: Alibaba

In the latest development, Alibaba introduced its new conversational tool, Qwen2.5-Max. Currently available to developers, Alibaba claims its model surpasses existing competitors, marking its significant entry into the AI domain.