Nournews: Global competition in artificial intelligence is no longer merely a technological race; it has become one of the most important arenas of economic competition worldwide. According to the latest data published by Investor Sight, based on statistics from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the market value of AI-related companies in certain countries has grown to such an extent that it now represents a substantial share of their gross domestic product (GDP).
According to the report, Taiwan ranks first, with AI companies collectively valued at $1.6 trillion—equivalent to 207.2% of the country's GDP. In other words, the value of Taiwan’s AI companies is estimated to be more than double the size of its entire economy. This remarkable growth is largely attributable to Taiwan’s strategic position in the semiconductor industry and the presence of major advanced chip manufacturers.
The United States ranks second, with AI companies valued at $29.9 trillion, equivalent to 104.3% of its GDP. As the home of many of the world’s largest technology firms and leading AI developers, the U.S. remains the dominant force in the industry.
South Korea occupies third place, with AI companies worth $968 billion, representing 51.6% of its GDP. It is followed by Japan, whose AI sector is valued at $900 billion, accounting for 22.4% of GDP. These figures highlight East Asia’s substantial investment in emerging technologies.
Among Middle Eastern countries, Israel holds a notable position, with AI companies valued at $106 billion, equivalent to 19.7% of GDP. Through the growth of startups and the attraction of international investment, Israel has become one of the region’s leading technology and AI hubs.
Despite being the world’s second-largest economy, China’s AI companies are valued at $2.9 trillion, representing 16% of its GDP. Strong government support and extensive investment in AI have positioned China as one of the United States’ principal competitors in this field.
Further down the list are the European Union, with AI companies valued at $1.6 trillion (10% of GDP), India at $356 billion (9.1%), and the United Kingdom at $310 billion (8.4%).
The ranking also includes Singapore, with AI companies worth $40 billion (7.3% of GDP), Canada at $160 billion (7.1%), Australia at $121 billion (6.9%), Hong Kong at $27 billion (6.6%), and Switzerland at $52 billion (5.6%).
These figures reveal an important reality: value creation in artificial intelligence is no longer limited to software development or large language models. It encompasses an entire ecosystem of industries, including semiconductors, data centers, cloud computing, robotics, and digital services. As a result, countries with stronger technological infrastructure and greater investment in these sectors have secured a larger share of this multi-trillion-dollar market.
Although Iran does not appear in this ranking, efforts have been made in recent years to develop the country’s AI ecosystem, support knowledge-based companies, and build computational infrastructure. Nevertheless, the gap between Iran and leading nations remains considerable. Experts argue that greater investment, access to advanced technologies, expansion of data centers, and stronger support for research and innovation are essential for Iran to compete effectively on the global stage.
It appears that, over the next decade, the main winners of the global economy will be the countries that capture the largest share of the AI value chain. What began as a technological race has now evolved into one of the most decisive indicators of economic power in the world.
Nournews