AI as Imperial Tech: US and China Build Rival AI Empires
| Source: Techmeme | Original article
The article argues that AI functions as an imperial technology and examines how the United States and China are constructing competing AI empires to expand their global influence.
Foreign Affairs has published a new analysis titled “How AI is an inherently imperial technology, and how the US and China are building rival ‘AI empires’ with different approaches to extend their power.” The essay argues that artificial‑intelligence systems are not neutral tools but infrastructure that can amplify state influence, and that Washington and Beijing are already shaping distinct, competing AI architectures to cement geopolitical advantage.
The piece traces how, within just a few years, both capitals have marshalled public funding, corporate partnerships and strategic policy to create parallel AI ecosystems. The United States is portrayed as leaning on open‑source collaborations and market‑driven innovation, while China is depicted as integrating AI tightly with state planning and industrial policy. By framing AI as “imperial,” the article suggests that the technology will become a new axis of power projection, affecting everything from defense to data sovereignty and global standards‑setting.
Why this matters is twofold. First, it signals that policymakers in both blocs view AI not merely as an economic driver but as a core component of national security strategy. Second, the framing may influence how allies and rivals negotiate standards, export controls and research collaborations, potentially deepening the bifurcation of the global AI landscape.
Looking ahead, observers will watch for concrete moves that reflect the divergent playbooks: U.S. initiatives to safeguard open‑source models and export‑control regimes, and Chinese efforts to embed AI in state‑led projects and export its own platforms. The debate is likely to shape upcoming bilateral talks on technology, future trade negotiations and the next round of AI‑focused legislation in both capitals.
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