Jakarta, INTI - Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer viewed solely as a technological advancement. It has increasingly evolved into a global political and economic issue, involving control over data, computing infrastructure, and the digital sovereignty of nations amid growing competition among major world powers.
This shift has been driven by AI’s expanding role in everyday life. From work and shopping to communication and decision-making, societies are becoming increasingly dependent on digital technologies powered by AI.
Behind the convenience and efficiency offered by AI lies an intensifying global race to control the data, computational resources, and digital infrastructure that will underpin the economy of the future.
Competition Shifts Toward Digital Infrastructure Control
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recorded more than 1,300 AI-related policy initiatives across over 80 jurisdictions and international organizations throughout 2025.
The findings highlight the absence of a unified and binding global framework for AI governance.
Major economies are now competing to secure strategic advantages through control of semiconductor chips, data centers, cloud computing services, and large-scale computing capacity.
According to the OECD, AI computing power has emerged as a critical foundation for digital competitiveness and long-term economic growth.
This competition has led to increasingly aggressive measures, including restrictions on advanced chip exports, efforts to strengthen semiconductor supply chains, and tighter control over computing services across various regions.
As a result, AI is gradually transforming from a tool of innovation into a strategic asset closely tied to geopolitical influence and economic power.
Rising Risks of Digital Dependence
The growing fragmentation of AI regulations presents new challenges for developing nations, which risk becoming consumers of advanced technologies without meaningful control over their own data and digital infrastructure.
Heavy reliance on global technology platforms could limit a country’s ability to manage data as a strategic national resource.
In this context, data sovereignty has become increasingly important, as it is closely linked to economic resilience, national security, and the sustainability of digital transformation efforts.
The article argues that the greatest threat is not merely the theft of citizens’ data, but the normalization of digital dependence itself, when reliance on external platforms becomes widely accepted and no longer questioned.
Looking ahead, discussions surrounding AI are expected to extend beyond technological innovation and focus more on how nations can safeguard data sovereignty while maintaining their strategic position within the global digital economy.
Conclusion
As AI continues to reshape economies and societies, the competition for data, computing power, and digital infrastructure is becoming a defining factor in global influence. For many countries, preserving data sovereignty will be essential not only for protecting national interests but also for ensuring that digital transformation delivers sustainable and inclusive economic benefits.
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