AI Nationalism Uprising: Global AI Race Set to Define 2024

AI Nationalism is the Hot New Trend in 2024

AI nationalism is heating up as countries race to gain control over this critical technology. Major investments, new regulations, and protectionist policies are spreading across the globe. Recent events signal that national AI projects will define 2024 and beyond.

Investments Pouring Into National AI Projects

The U.S. and China lead with multi-billion dollar investments in AI chips, research, and startups. Other countries are following suit on smaller scales:

- The U.K., France, Germany, India, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have collectively earmarked $40 billion for national AI plans.

- Priorities include buying AI hardware like GPUs, building chip factories, and supporting local AI companies.

The goal is to reduce reliance on foreign technology and nurture homegrown AI industries.

### The U.S. and China Locked in AI Arms Race

The U.S. and China are aggressively competing for AI dominance:

- The U.S. is spending $50 billion to boost domestic chipmaking and cut reliance on Taiwan. Export controls limit AI tech transfers to China.

- China is investing $300 billion to recreate its own AI chip supply chain. The state guides capital to strategic tech sectors while cracking down on areas like gaming.

Both countries are weaponizing access to technology against each other. This tech cold war threatens to divide the world into separate spheres of AI innovation.

Gulf States Emerge as AI Hot Spots

The UAE and Saudi Arabia are leveraging wealth and autocracy to become AI hubs:

- Generous funding for universities is drawing global AI talent and climbing university rankings.

- Billions invested in GPUs and energy infrastructure to power AI models.

- Open datasets and support for startups aim to build globally competitive national AI firms.

Europe and India Take Balanced Approach

European countries and India are making big AI investments while favoring light regulation:

- France and the U.K. provide data access for companies to train AI systems.

- Germany, France, the U.K., and India offer incentives for chip fabrication plants.

- However, the E.U. and India avoid heavy AI regulation like China's.

Risks of AI Nationalism

While seeking technological independence, AI nationalism has downsides:

- Antagonizing allies through export controls and market barriers.

- Wasting money on doomed national champions instead of supporting innovation.

- Public backlash over state use of sensitive data like healthcare records.

Nonetheless, governments will aggressively pursue national AI agendas in 2024 as this technology becomes a key geostrategic asset. The era of AI nationalism is just getting started.