Who Controls Intelligence? The Global Race for AI Dominance

Who Controls Intelligence? The Global Race for AI Dominance

By Aabha Ghimire

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The incorporation of AI into our daily lives is undeniable—it ranges from content creation to major autonomous systems. In today’s world, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the next great source of influence. Governments are investing billions in AI research, technology companies are competing to build the most advanced systems, and militaries are exploring AI-powered defense capabilities. Along with its advantages, it raises a new concern: is AI only empowering societal development, or is it creating a new intelligence monopoly that reshapes global power and control?

Corporate Power and AI

The advancement of AI is largely controlled by multi-billion-dollar companies constantly pushing for authority over this new tool. Some examples include GPT, owned by OpenAI; DeepSeek, owned by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd; and Llama (Meta), owned by a combination of public shareholders, institutional investors, and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg.

As AI becomes more important in industries ranging from healthcare to education, these entities gain increasing influence over how information is created, distributed, and consumed. As smaller tech companies struggle to compete with tech giants that already possess significant financial resources, power becomes concentrated among a limited number of organizations. This results in a handful of corporations becoming the main gatekeepers of one of the most transformative technologies of our time.

AI in Geopolitics

Governments are moving rapidly to secure technological autonomy. Evidence of this can be seen in export controls on advanced chips, investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing, the rise of “sovereign clouds,” funding for public supercomputing centers, and the development of localized Large Language Models (LLMs) to ensure technology aligns with regional languages and cultural values.

Major nations are responding to AI advancement with initiatives of their own. For example, the Taiwanese government launched a $7.4 million project in 2023 to develop and deploy a homegrown LLM, and in early 2024, the French government invested approximately $44 million to upgrade the Jean Zay supercomputer near Paris with around 1,500 new AI chips.

Additionally, AI is increasingly shaping politics by influencing how political campaigns reach voters and how information spreads online. Similar to the race for industrial dominance during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the competition for AI leadership is shaping international relations and policy decisions today.

Role of AI in Military Control

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in military and security systems around the world. Governments and defense organizations use AI to analyze intelligence data, detect potential threats, improve cybersecurity, and support military decision-making.

AI-powered surveillance systems can quickly process information from cameras, satellites, and online sources, helping authorities identify risks faster than humans can. Some countries are also developing autonomous drones and weapon systems that require minimal human control. These technologies may improve efficiency and strengthen national security.

However, they also raise ethical concerns regarding privacy, accountability, and machines making life-or-death decisions. As AI continues to advance, it is changing the way wars are fought and how countries approach security.

Risks of an Intelligence Monopoly

In the Corporate Sector:

  • Concentration of power

  • Dependence on a few tech companies

  • Unequal access to AI technology

  • Cybersecurity threats

  • Market monopolization

  • Control of consumer data

In Geopolitics:

  • Manipulation of public opinion

  • Global AI arms race

  • Growing gap between rich and poor nations

  • Job displacement and automation

  • Technological dominance by powerful nations

  • Foreign influence operations

In the Military:

  • Misuse of autonomous weapons

  • Lowered barriers to advanced warfare

  • Risks to democratic processes

  • Vulnerability to AI system failures

  • Ethical concerns over machine decision-making

References

  • Definition of AI – Britannica

  • DeepSeek – Britannica

  • AI Geopolitics and Data Centres in the Age of Technological Rivalry – World Economic Forum

  • Sovereign AI in a Hybrid World: National Strategies and Policy Responses – Lawfare Media

  • AI on the Ballot: How Artificial Intelligence Is Already Changing Politics – Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation

 

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