China's rise has been widely reported in the tech industry, with many companies and researchers taking notice of its growing influence. However, a recent development has highlighted the complexities and potential consequences of China's growing assertiveness in the technology sphere. Export controls imposed by US government agencies have turned an abstract policy concern into a live one, sparking alarm bells across Europe and Canada.
The export controls were introduced as part of a broader effort to restrict Chinese tech companies from acquiring sensitive American technology. The move was seen as a response to China's increasing assertiveness in the global market, including its growing dominance in areas such as AI and cybersecurity. However, the implementation of these controls has raised concerns about who really controls the flow of technology.
As of June 13 this year, Anthropic, one of the US government's two most powerful AI models, was turned offline for users worldwide. The move took place under export control regulations set by the US Commerce Department, which aimed to restrict the transfer of sensitive American technology to China and other countries subject to sanctions. This development has sparked a global AI sovereignty scramble, with concerns about who controls the […]