The rapid progress of Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes it a powerful tool within economic, political, and military domains. Embedded in the digital revolution, AI will help determine the international order for decades to come, accentuating and accelerating the dynamics of an old cycle in which technology and power reinforce one another. States that invest most aggressively, will end up the most advanced, technologically. Ambitious governments have already identified Artificial Intelligence as the core differentiating general purpose technology of this century.

However, despite recent efforts, only America and China are home to dominant AI companies. If Non-Sino-American countries are unable to tax these ultra-profitable AI companies, they either let their people plunge into poverty or negotiate with the two countries supplying their AI software, to become that nation's economic dependent. This, unhindered, may bring forth a new wave of colonialism and exploitation. This is the resource disparity present between nations, and must be addressed to move towards a more equitable world. Labour substitution and job insecurity have become exponentially bigger issues with the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Some of the most devastating implementations of AI lie in the proliferation of armed drones in states like the USA, UK, Iran, Iraq, China and more. The penetrability of these systems poses a fundamental threat to national and international stability.

The hyper-connectivity of the internet and the nature of AI has the immediate consequence that any effort must be on an united front. Nationalism has historically been a dangerous path. AI should be developed as a global public good, with widespread accessibility and security safeguards like the Global Positioning System. Thus, a delicate balance must be struck between nurturing the growth, welfare and safety of humanity.

Daniyal Boriawala

Shwetambari Abhirajan