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POLITICO Tech

What is ‘sovereign AI’ anyway?

Oct 23, 2024
Pablo Chavez, founder of Tech Policy Solutions, dives into the heated topic of ‘sovereign AI,’ a term that ignites conversations about global competition in AI technology. He explores the race between nations, particularly the US and China, to develop advanced AI capabilities, and the critical investments required for this tech arms race. Chavez also examines the implications of national strategies, like those from Taiwan and France, on security and innovation, and how political shifts, like the upcoming U.S. election, may influence AI governance.
19:02

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Quick takeaways

  • Sovereign AI represents a shift where governments actively participate in AI development, emphasizing control over models and infrastructure domestically.
  • The competition for AI supremacy among nations raises concerns about international cooperation, potentially leading to fragmentation in technology governance.

Deep dives

Understanding Sovereign AI

Sovereign AI is fundamentally described as an industrial policy led by national governments aimed at controlling all aspects of AI development, including models, data, and infrastructure. This concept sees countries striving to place the creation and regulation of AI in the hands of domestic entities rather than foreign ones. Governments are not solely acting as regulators but increasingly as market participants by developing their own AI models and infrastructure, reflecting a significant shift in how countries engage with this technology. Examples include nations creating sovereign language models and specialized infrastructure to maintain competitive advantages and protect their cultural integrity.

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