Foreign Policy Live The Geopolitics of AI
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Apr 11, 2025 
Jared Cohen, president of global affairs at Goldman Sachs and a thought leader on AI's geopolitical landscape, dives into the fierce competition for dominance in the AI economy. He underscores the role of 'geopolitical swing states' in global power dynamics. The conversation explores vulnerabilities in AI infrastructure, including critical mineral supply chains and semiconductor demands, and the Middle East's potential as a major player in meeting energy needs for data centers. Cohen emphasizes the complex interplay between technology, resources, and global politics.
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AI Choke Points
- AI infrastructure, especially data centers, has numerous choke points.
- These vulnerabilities arise from complex supply chains and concentrated dependencies on single suppliers or countries.
Undersea Cable Vulnerabilities
- Undersea cables, a pre-Civil War technology, carry 95% of global data and $10 trillion in daily financial transactions.
- Geopolitics increases cable breakages; incidents involving Chinese and Russian vessels highlight the vulnerability.
Critical Mineral Dependence on China
- China controls 92% of critical mineral refining, creating a significant choke point in the AI supply chain.
- Diversifying this supply chain is complex due to ESG challenges, permitting issues, and a shortage of skilled labor.