‘American AI companies talk about sharing wealth, but all top open source models are Chinese,’ says veteran investor Naval Ravikant

In a crisp, provocative share on X, veteran thinker and investor Naval Ravikant said, “All the American AI companies talk about sharing the wealth, but all the top open source models are Chinese.” 

Naval Ravikant says impactful open-source models are all coming out of China

The post from the Silicon Valley stalwart has ignited widespread discussion, drawing attention to the shifting geopolitics of artificial intelligence and the complex interplay between openness, innovation, and national leadership.

Although Ravikant did not elaborate further in the post itself, the implication is clear that even as U.S. AI firms trumpet ethical AI, democratisation, and equitable access to the benefits of intelligent systems, the most impactful open-source models emerging today are coming out of China.

Indeed, this is a surprising pivot in a space long dominated by American startups and research labs.

Naval Ravikant is not just any commentator. Born in New Delhi in 1974 and raised in the U.S., he co-founded AngelList, a platform that transformed startup fundraising by connecting founders with angel investors in an unprecedented way.

Over the years, he has backed more than 200 companies at the earliest stages, including household names such as Uber, Twitter, and others, building a reputation as both a prescient investor and a thought leader on technology, wealth, and the future of work. 

His latest X post taps into growing unease about where the next generation of AI innovation will come from and who will control it.

All the American AI companies talk about sharing the wealth, but all the top open source models are Chinese.

— Naval (@naval) February 12, 2026

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India-born investor says Chinese developers taking lead in terms of capability and influence

American technology firms have increasingly emphasised “sharing the wealth” in tech that promises equitable access to tools, transparent research, and inclusive platforms.

But Ravikant’s observation suggests that, at least in open source AI models, Chinese developers may be taking the lead in terms of capability and influence, challenging assumptions about where open innovation truly thrives. 

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