AI Model Development in 2025: Which Countries Are Taking the Lead?

Artificial intelligence is moving fast—but the pace of change isn’t as simple as it once seemed. Behind the numbers are shifting priorities, tough choices, and teams around the world figuring out what really matters.

For a long time, new AI models were popping up steadily. Around 2015, things really took off—almost like someone hit the gas pedal. But by 2024, that rush started to slow down. Fewer new models made headlines, and overall progress seemed to lose a bit of steam. The 2025 Stanford AI Index helps paint a clearer picture of what’s going on now, especially in the U.S., China, and Europe—and where the race might be headed next.

In this article, we’ll walk through the latest trends in AI model development, highlight which countries are still pushing forward, and compare how different regions are adapting to this new, more intense phase of innovation.

AI Model Development in 2025: Which Countries Are Taking the Lead?

Key Takeaways:

Since the 1950s, more than 900 AI models have been documented. It’s a reminder of just how far we’ve come—and how much effort and imagination went into this journey.

In 2024, the United States led the pack, with 40 major AI models developed. Meanwhile, China kept building momentum, slowly but steadily narrowing the gap.

But many parts of the world actually slowed down. Fewer models came out overall, suggesting that teams are becoming more selective and thoughtful about what they release—and how.

These days, building a truly powerful AI model isn’t cheap or easy. It demands serious time, money, and highly skilled people. The bar is much higher now than it used to be.

As we move through 2025, AI model development is becoming more focused. Fewer organizations are driving the breakthroughs, and smaller teams are feeling the pressure to keep up.

Which Countries Are Leading AI Model Development?

In 2024, the United States stayed ahead in the race to develop advanced AI models, creating 40 notable ones. China followed with 15, and France trailed behind with 3.

After a few intense years of rapid progress, things started to slow down a bit in 2024 — like catching your breath after a long sprint.

The U.S. has been leading this space since way back in 2003, thanks to its strong ecosystem of research labs, tech giants, and generous funding. But China isn’t far behind anymore. Its recent progress shows it's closing the gap, and fast.

Why this matters:

More models usually mean more active and innovative research

It shows which countries are backing AI with real resources

And it reveals who has access to the powerful tools needed to train cutting-edge systems

It’s worth noting that these numbers are based on where the research teams are located, not the nationality of the people involved. So, a model “from” a country just means the team was based there. It’s not a perfect system, but it still gives a clear picture of where the big breakthroughs are happening.

How Many AI Models Are There?

According to Epoch AI, over 900 notable AI models have been created since the 1950s. This isn’t just a list of names—it’s a rich timeline showing how AI has evolved over the decades, with moments of genius and game-changing discoveries.

Some regions might be a bit underrepresented, but overall, this dataset paints a pretty solid picture of how far AI has come—and where it might be headed next.

A model is labeled as “notable” if it does at least one of the following:

Sets a new technical benchmark at launch
Plays a key role in shaping AI’s direction
Gets widely cited or used in industry or research

More models usually mean more active and innovative research

It shows which countries are backing AI with real resources

And it reveals who has access to the powerful tools needed to train cutting-edge systems

It’s

Here are a few standout models from recent years:

GPT-4o, known for its fast thinking across voice, images, and text

Claude 3.5, which made waves in the chatbot world

AlphaGeometry, built to tackle complex geometry problems like a pro

Each of these models tells a story—of ambition, creativity, and the drive to push boundaries. They not only show where we’ve been but also hint at where AI could go next.

How AI Models Have Grown Over Time: A Real Look at the Journey

Over the past 20 years, the world of AI has gone through a huge transformation. In the early 2000s, progress felt like a slow crawl—interesting, but not exactly exciting. But around 2015, something changed. Things picked up speed, especially in the U.S., and it started to feel like we were on the edge of something big.

Let’s take a look at how AI model development has played out over the years, by region:

United States:

2015: 21 models

2018: 37 models

2021: 54 models

2023: 75 models

2024: 40 models

The U.S. was leading the charge, moving quickly from steady progress to a burst of creativity and innovation. By 2023, it felt like AI was everywhere—new tools, smarter models, and a sense that the future was arriving. But then 2024 came with a surprise: a sharp slowdown. From 75 models to just 40. It left people wondering—what happened?

China:

2015: 4 models

2018: 4 models

2021: 16 models

2023: 21 models

2024: 15 models

China’s journey was more gradual at first, but by 2021, you could feel the momentum building. Excitement grew as more models were developed, especially leading up to 2023. The dip in 2024 wasn’t as dramatic as the U.S., but it was still noticeable—and maybe a sign of shifting priorities.

Europe:

2015: 6 models

2018: 11 models

2021: 18 models

2023: 16 models

2024: 3 models

Europe showed steady growth for a while, quietly gaining ground. But 2024 hit hard. From 16 models down to just 3—it was the steepest drop of all. For researchers and developers in Europe, it was a tough year. It’s unclear what caused the pullback, but the change was definitely felt.

Why AI Model Releases Slowed Down in 2024

After a few exciting years where new AI models seemed to pop up every other week, things noticeably changed in 2024. The number of major AI releases slowed down, and that shift didn’t go unnoticed—especially in places like the Stanford AI Index. So, what happened? A few things, actually—and they make a lot of sense once you see the full picture.

The bar is higher now:

These days, it takes a lot more for an AI model to be considered truly “notable.” It’s not enough to be good—it has to break boundaries, spark new directions in research, or grab serious attention from the AI community. With so many models already out there, it’s harder for new ones to feel fresh or game-changing. It’s a bit like music: once everyone’s heard a hundred great songs, it takes something extra special to stand out.

It takes more time, money, and power to build:

Training powerful AI models now requires enormous computing power, long training cycles, and huge budgets. It’s not a quick hackathon project anymore. Behind each big release, there are months (sometimes years) of planning, testing, and fine-tuning. The work is intense, and the stakes are higher. Teams are exhausted, costs are rising, and every decision counts. It’s a much tougher road now than it was even a couple of years ago.

Big players are dominating:

Let’s be honest: the AI landscape is starting to feel more centralized. The most impressive models are now mostly coming from big tech companies or elite research labs with deep pockets. Smaller teams and independent researchers are struggling to keep up—not for lack of talent, but because they just don’t have access to the same resources. That’s frustrating for many in the community who once felt like AI was a more level playing field.

Some great models are flying under the radar:

Not every good model makes the headlines. The tracking of AI releases is still largely manual, and that means if a model doesn’t get the buzz or press coverage, it might not show up in lists—even if it’s doing brilliant work. It’s a bit disheartening for researchers who pour their hearts into something only to have it overlooked.

What this really means for AI in 2025 and beyond:

This slowdown doesn’t mean innovation is fading—it’s just changing shape. The AI world is moving into a new phase: one that’s slower, more thoughtful, more demanding, and definitely more expensive. We’re entering a time where quality is starting to matter more than quantity.

The Bottom Line

AI model development isn’t stopping—it’s evolving. After years of fast, almost dizzying progress, 2024 marked a shift. Building a standout model now takes more effort, more funding, and more time. And because of that, fewer teams can cross the finish line.

Progress is still happening—some of it quietly, some of it behind the scenes. But the landscape is shifting. AI in 2025 looks more careful, more curated, and more exclusive than it used to be. It’s not the same race anymore, but it’s still very much worth watching.