US CEOs Warn: Inconsistent Policies Risk Losing Edge to China in AI and Biotech
October 16, 2025
Two influential American CEOs, Charlie Scharf of Wells Fargo and Albert Bourla of Pfizer, warn that the U.S. risks losing its competitive edge to China due to inconsistent policies and underinvestment, despite current dominance in key sectors.
They emphasize that America's long-term competitiveness depends on balancing innovation with stable governance, leveraging AI for efficiency while addressing social inequalities, and maintaining a predictable regulatory environment.
Bourla describes AI as a transformative force in medicine, capable of accelerating drug discovery and treatment development, with Pfizer employing AI to simulate molecular interactions and potentially find cures faster, predicting AI will revolutionize treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer.
Both CEOs agree that artificial intelligence could be America's strongest weapon to maintain global leadership, with AI already transforming industries such as finance and pharmaceuticals.
Bourla warns that China is rapidly closing the innovation gap in biotech and pharmaceuticals, now filing more patents than the U.S. and prioritizing life sciences, which could surpass the U.S. without strategic action.
China's advancements in generative AI, data centers, and quantum computing pose a significant challenge to U.S. dominance despite the country's historical lead in AI research and industry.
Scharf highlights that AI will likely reduce workforce sizes but significantly boost productivity, citing examples from finance where AI has improved coding efficiency by up to 40%, while also noting the need for regulatory reforms and awareness of social impacts.
Upcoming regulatory changes in the financial industry, including adjustments in capital and liquidity requirements, aim to enable banks to serve local communities better and promote stable, predictable policies for long-term planning.
Pfizer recently agreed to a drug pricing deal with the U.S. government, which included a three-year tariff exemption contingent on increased domestic manufacturing investments to reduce market uncertainties.
Scharf criticizes current regulatory and tariff policies, advocating for the U.S. to focus less on slowing China's progress and more on revitalizing its own innovation ecosystem through policy reforms.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Tekedia • Oct 16, 2025
U.S. CEOs Warn of China’s Growing Edge, Say AI May Be America’s Best Defense - Tekedia