ABSTRACT
In a world of sweeping technological progress, technology is becoming the cornerstone of geopolitics, and a ripe ground to form powerful narratives. Reaping the benefits of newly arising economic opportunities, China has emerged as a new strategic competitor of the United States, leading to the outbreak of a new “cold war” between the two powers. Artificial intelligence (AI) constitutes a general – and dual-purpose technology nexus that is the foundation for the data-driven economy that emerged in the technologically advanced economies and sectors in the years following the Great Recession of 2008–2009. Because AI is an essential component of tools such as drones and robotics relied upon by the US military, a competitive edge in AI is seen as essential for national security reasons. The EU missed out on the first major wave of Internet firms and it appears set to miss out on the next wave of AI firms.
