AI Geopolitics Intensify Globally

The intensifying competition between China and the US in the field of Artificial Intelligence is less about financial gains and more about geopolitical strategy, national pride, and security concerns. Both nations view AI as crucial for military advancement and global influence, leading to a race for technological supremacy.

The US aims to maintain its leadership by implementing export controls on advanced semiconductors and related software, intending to slow China's progress. China, however, sees AI advancement as a means to reduce reliance on foreign technology and achieve economic and military superiority. This has led to a push for AI sovereignty, focusing on developing a complete domestic AI technology stack, including AI models, software frameworks, and chips.

The competition extends beyond technology, encompassing standards, adoption, and the architecture of global digital ecosystems. Both countries are vying for influence in emerging markets, particularly in the Global South, where nations are being courted to adopt their respective AI technologies and governance frameworks. This battle for AI dominance is shaping the future of global digital infrastructure and geopolitical alliances.