By Ana Ortiz, journalist and analyst of the International Security Center
While the world is focused on observing the resolution of Russia's war against Ukraine as a territorial and strategic dispute, understood in its most classical conception, it should be borne in mind that another battle of global proportions is being waged in a more or less hidden way: the domination of the technological future and its repercussions on geopolitics and the world economy, where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an essential factor due to the potential it represents.
In this scenario, the United States and China are competing for supremacy in this technology because it can give them new avenues of influence in the configuration of the new world order that is taking shape, where the Ukrainian conflict is a relevant piece. This context forces Europe to reinvent itself or at least reposition itself. Meanwhile, Russia is seeking to redefine its role and influence by returning to its 20th century borders, but with its sights set on the future, which, as we have said, involves the development of power tools and strategies provided by AI.
Thus, the first step is to control the ability to access critical resources, such as rare earths, which, as we already know, provide the raw materials necessary for the development of this technology. This facilitates the control of innovation in economic and diplomatic processes, giving a privileged position to whoever wins the ‘gold medal’ on the podium of this particular competition.
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