By Newswriters News Desk
The following is an original summary based on the article “AI: the key battleground for Cold War 2.0?” by Evgeny Morozov, published in the May 2023 issue of Le Monde diplomatique. Readers interested in the complete analysis and the author’s detailed arguments should consult the original article.
Playing Tetris: visitors to the observatory at the Abeno Harukas skyscraper in Osaka can play the game projected on a huge wall, 30 November 2017. The Asahi Shimbun · Getty (Courtesy: Le Monde)
Artificial intelligence has rapidly emerged as one of the defining arenas of strategic competition between the United States and China. In his thought-provoking article, Evgeny Morozov argues that the growing narrative of an “AI race” is not merely about technological innovation but also about politics, economics, and the interests of powerful institutions seeking to shape public policy and government spending.
Morozov contends that concerns over China’s technological rise have encouraged a significant shift in U.S. policy. After decades of promoting globalization and free-market principles, Washington has increasingly embraced industrial policies, government subsidies, and strategic investments aimed at strengthening domestic technological capabilities. AI has become central to this new approach, with national security frequently cited as the primary justification for greater public investment.
A key theme of the article is the deepening relationship between Silicon Valley and the U.S. defence establishment. Large technology companies are becoming increasingly involved in military projects, cloud computing, data infrastructure, and AI applications. According to Morozov, this growing partnership blurs the traditional distinction between commercial innovation and national defence, creating new opportunities for technology firms while raising questions about public accountability and the concentration of economic power.
The article also examines the strategic importance of semiconductors and advanced computing. Rather than seeking complete technological decoupling, the United States has adopted policies designed to slow China’s progress in critical technologies, particularly advanced chip manufacturing. Export controls, restrictions on technology transfers, and cooperation with allied countries form part of a broader effort to preserve technological leadership while maintaining leverage over China’s access to key components.
Morozov questions whether the widespread portrayal of China as an imminent winner in the AI race accurately reflects technological realities. While China has achieved impressive advances in several critical technologies, he argues that leadership in research does not automatically translate into practical dominance. At the same time, he notes that U.S. technology companies remain highly dependent on global markets, including China, making complete economic separation difficult and commercially undesirable.
The article also considers the implications for Europe, suggesting that European governments risk becoming increasingly dependent on American technology companies if they align too closely with Washington’s strategic agenda without developing independent technological capabilities.
Ultimately, Morozov argues that the emerging Cold War 2.0 is not driven solely by geopolitical rivalry. It is also shaped by the economic interests of technology companies, defence contractors, policymakers, and investors who stand to benefit from expanding AI-related spending. The debate over artificial intelligence, therefore, is not simply about innovation or national security; it is equally about who controls future technologies, who profits from them, and how they will influence the global balance of power.
Source: Evgeny Morozov, “AI: the key battleground for Cold War 2.0?”, Le Monde diplomatique, May 2023.
