Microsoft founder Bill Gates has warned that U.S. tech bans aimed at China are backfiring, pushing Beijing to fast-track its own chip and AI development. Citing Huawei's Ascend chip and DeepSeek's AI advancements, Gates said the sanctions have forced China to "go full speed ahead" on self-reliance. Speaking on the global tech race, he argued that open software ensures neither the U.S. nor China will dominate AI. The remarks raise questions about the efficacy of U.S. trade policies and tech bans under mounting geopolitical tensions.