2024 Meridian Summit: Navigating National Ambitions in a Global Race for AI Sovereignty

In an era of rapid technological advancement, the interplay between artificial intelligence and geopolitics is redefining global relations. As global competition mounts, nations are striving to establish robust sovereign AI ecosystems that secure their autonomy and enhance economic resilience. Pablo Chavez, Founder & Principal of Tech Policy Solutions and Adjust Senior Fellow at CNAS, defines AI sovereignty as “an industrial policy driven by national governments to put the development, deployment, and control of AI—models, data, and infrastructure—in the hands of domestic players.” In conversation with POLITICO Tech’s Steven Overly, Chavez likened the race for AI dominance to a modern arms race. This rivalry extends beyond technology into ideological territory, with nations striving to establish their governance models as standards for AI applications, potentially reshaping international relations and the future of technology.  

Key Takeaways

Many governments are not only acting as regulators but also as market players. Countries like Taiwan and France are actively developing their own AI systems, motivated by concerns about national security, cultural integrity, and economic competitiveness. Taiwan, for instance, is creating its own large language model to counteract potential Chinese interference in its political discourse. Chavez highlighted the complexity of sovereign AI development, noting that “this time, governments don’t want to miss the opportunity to be active participants” in a technological revolution.  

The U.S. Senate has proposed a $32 billion non-defense spending package for AI, which complements the private sector’s substantial investments—U.S. tech companies alone have poured $100 billion into AI-related infrastructure in the first half of 2024. While these numbers are staggering, Chavez raised the question of whether government subsidies are necessary in an industry where private companies already dominate investment. Indications suggest that government agencies are increasingly adapting to innovations from the private sector rather than leading technological advancements.  

Beyond the startup costs associated with AI development, there is the additional challenge of balancing international cooperation with national interests. Chavez notes that collaboration on global AI standards “sounds amazing, but it is extremely, extremely hard.”  

Next Steps  

As AI becomes more integral to global security and economic power, it is clear that the stakes are high, and nations are racing to secure their place in the future AI landscape.  In a call to action, Chavez sees an important role for “U.S. government […] to steer the digital world a little bit away from the concept of sovereignty and moving it more towards the idea of solidarity.” Global collaboration on AI standards and governance will be critical even while tensions between national interests and international cooperation remain a challenge. Developing comprehensive AI policies and international coalitions remains vital to balance safeguarding technological sovereignty and mitigating fragmentation.  

Project summary

2024 Meridian Summit: Navigating National Ambitions in a Global Race for AI Sovereignty | October 2024
Impact Areas:	Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
Program Areas:	Diplomatic Engagement