China could overtake the United States in the global technology race, weakening Washington’s position in both the economic and military spheres, according to Pentagon research and engineering chief Emil Michael.

Speaking at a Breitbart event in Washington focused on artificial intelligence, Michael said maintaining leadership in advanced technologies has become critical for the United States. Losing that lead, he argued, could undermine the advantages Washington views as central to its economic strength and military power.

Michael singled out artificial intelligence as one of the decisive areas of competition. In his assessment, progress in AI will play a major role in shaping the balance of power in the 21st century and could determine whether the American or Chinese development model gains greater influence.

The Pentagon has increasingly focused on emerging technologies and unmanned systems as that rivalry intensifies. In February, the US Department of War announced the Drone Dominance program, aimed at rapidly deploying large numbers of inexpensive strike drones.