EU Pursues Tech Sovereignty as Allies Weigh US Alternatives
The global landscape of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is shifting, with the European Union (EU) and other nations considering new partnerships and strategies in response to US policies. The EU's Commissioner for tech sovereignty, Henna Virkkunen, has made 'tech sovereignty' in AI a top priority.
Long-time US allies find themselves in a dilemma, torn between maintaining their allegiance to the US-led order and exploring alternative alliances. This is due to Washington's increasing use of trade threats and unilateral decisions. Meanwhile, countries like South Africa and Indonesia are showing interest in partnering with China on AI governance, citing the US' perceived lack of openness to international collaboration.
The EU, Japan, and Australia are planning to support local AI firms to compete globally, potentially countering US foreign policy ambitions. This comes as the US continues its policy of promoting American AI leadership, a strategy that began under the Trump administration and has been maintained under President Biden. The White House's AI Action Plan aims to establish US 'global technological dominance' in AI.
US officials have been pressuring allies to impose export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment and to abandon contracts with Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications company. However, these actions have led some countries to openly discuss 'digital conscious uncoupling' from the US.
As authoritarian governments, led by China and Russia, pursue aggressive tactics to embed mass surveillance and government control over technology development, the global race for AI dominance intensifies. The EU's focus on tech sovereignty and other nations' consideration of new partnerships reflect a changing landscape in international tech relations.
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