The AI Arms Race: Governance, Decoupling, and Tech Cold Wars

From chip wars to classrooms, AI is redefining geopolitics. With its Vikram-32 chip, India steps onto the battlefield. Who decides how AI reshapes our world? Introduction: A Different Kind of Global Contest The superpower rivalries of the past revolved around nuclear arsenals and space exploration. Today, the struggle has shifted to a new frontier—artificial intelligence. Nations are competing not just to innovate but to dictate the terms of how AI will be developed, governed, and deployed. The winner won’t just lead in technology; they’ll shape the future rules of economics, defense strategy, and even global education. Calling it an “AI arms race” is no exaggeration. It has become a real geopolitical clash. The United States, China, and Europe are scrambling for influence, while countries like India, South Korea, and the UAE push to secure their place in this new order. The result is a rapidly intensifying tech cold war, where competition over governance and economic independence is a...