The Foreign Affairs Interview cover image

The Foreign Affairs Interview

How AI Could Upend Geopolitics

Sep 7, 2023
AI's transformative power and its impact on the power balance between states and companies are discussed. Rapid advancements in AI, implications for society, and risks are highlighted. The concept of the Technopolar Order and its implications are explored. The direct effects of AI on geopolitics, policymaker's role, and AI regulation are examined. The analogy between AI and nuclear weapons in terms of containment and regulation is discussed.
47:29

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Quick takeaways

  • AI will transform power dynamics by shifting power from nation-states to technology companies, necessitating the urgent establishment of a global governance structure that includes technology companies to ensure responsible AI development and usage.
  • Responsible AI governance is crucial to prevent the misuse of AI by bad actors, and collaboration between governments, corporations, and other stakeholders is necessary to address challenges in areas such as digital security, data protection, misinformation, and national security.

Deep dives

The transformative impact of AI and the need for regulation

AI is poised to bring about significant transformations in power dynamics, particularly between states and technology companies. Policymakers must recognize the urgent need to catch up with AI advancements and establish regulations to mitigate risks and ensure responsible governance. The trajectory of AI progress has been incremental but predictable, evolving from classification tasks to generation tasks. In the next few years, AI capabilities will expand to planning and reasoning in abstracted environments. These advancements will enable AIs to speak fluent natural language, hold complex ideas in working memory, and interact in both digital and physical worlds. The essay emphasizes that AI developers are themselves geopolitical actors, and their sovereignty over AI entrenches the emerging Technopolar Order. The challenge lies in creating a global governance structure that includes technology companies and ensures responsible AI development and usage. The AI power paradox highlights the need for governance that balances global stability, innovation, and risk mitigation.

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