AI and the New Geopolitics of Digital Sovereignty

AI and the New Geopolitics of Digital Sovereignty

Dear reader,

Power, as we know it, can no longer be defined by military capabilities, territory, and economic outputs. Instead, it is being shaped by digital infrastructures and control over data. Artificial intelligence is now one of the ways in which states assert influence, autonomy, and compete. In this second edition of the EPIS Report on Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity, we are moving beyond the defense aspect of technology and exploring the transformation of power and its dynamics through the lens of geopolitics and digital sovereignty. This report will explore the further implications of AI on foreign policy, global governance, and economics.

This report includes a variety of articles examining the diverse effects of this shift, in which power is exercised not only across borders but through networks. From the rise of digital currencies to the European Union’s efforts to reduce dependency on foreign cloud infrastructure, these articles delve into how technology is closely interlinked with autonomy. Other articles feature the competition of AI governance frameworks, data flows across borders, and infrastructure against cyber threats. These pieces show a common thread: the pursuit of digital sovereignty is constantly evolving and growing, creating new geopolitical tensions that need to be mediated with accountability, resilience, and ethical governance.

This publication aims to provide a deeper understanding of how AI and digital technologies are reshaping international relations. Technology grows faster than regulations, therefore creating a need for informed, forward-thinking policy, which becomes ever more urgent.

It is our sincere hope that this second edition of the report encourages critical reflection and creates a space for dialogue on how to navigate the complexities of digital sovereignty in a rapidly changing world.

Belen Alondra Bringas Machicado

Editor of the EPIS Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity Report