The Rise of AI as a Tool of Geopolitical Power

Minahil Khurshid

In today’s globalized world, power is no longer defined by armies or alliances. It’s being reshaped by technology. A nation’s ability to defend itself and to project influence now depends on how effectively it incorporates technology into its security and economic system. No nation can maintain its security and military measures without a strong economic foundation. Therefore, states such as the US, China, India, and Russia are now racing to gain a strategic advantage via Artificial Intelligence.

Power in the 21st century is measured not by armies but by algorithms.

Great powers that actually shape the landscape of geopolitics, the US and China are spending billions of dollars to strengthen their security through AI, while the European Union has embedded AI into its national security strategies. Signaling that the power struggle is no longer fought on battlefields, but rather in Algorithms. For developing nations like Pakistan, this technological race is more than just a distant rivalry. It raises real concerns about autonomy and the growing digital dependency.

In international politics, there is a constant feature, and it is called geopolitics; however, the tools that drive it evolve. Technology has emerged as a new arena of strategic rivalry in the contemporary world. The US, Russia, and China might have different perspectives on ideology, but the one thing they all agree on is that artificial intelligence will change the global balance of power.

For all of Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, AI has now become the very core of their national strategy. In 2017 Russian President stated that “Whoever leads in AI will lead the world”. Since then, under President Xi Jinping’s goal of “indigenous innovation,”  China has promoted AI as a foundation of its economic and defense modernization. The US under Biden’s presidency recognizes that AI is reshaping global competition faster than any previous technology wave.

Although the US and China have dominated the AI landscape, they are not alone in determining its future. Emerging economies such as India, South Korea, Brazil, and even Pakistan are becoming “swing states”, with the ability to influence how the technology develops and who benefits from it. To develop policies with the help of AI that balance innovation, regulation, and security in a way that serves their national interests is one of the prominent challenges these states are facing.

Nations mastering AI will shape global order, while others risk strategic dependence.

The nature of geopolitics may change dramatically as AI continues to evolve. Nation-states will increasingly share the stage with AI-powered systems capable of making autonomous decisions, affecting economies, and even shaping warfare. This arguably marks the dawn of what many call geotechnopolitics, an era in which technological intelligence itself emerges as a key player in global affairs.

As machines begin to perform jobs that were previously limited to human judgment, the line between human and artificial decision-making is fading. This isn’t science fiction anymore. It’s unfolding and forcing us to rethink power, identity, and control. And yet, the path humanity chooses in developing and governing AI will ultimately determine not only who leads the world, but what that world will look like.

Artificial intelligence, which has emerged as the fourth industrial revolution, is reshaping how nations perceive and secure power. For global rivals like China, the US, and Russia, it’s not just a technological asset but a strategic weapon with the capability of redefining deterrence and conflict. However, the growing militarization of AI is creating a sense of insecurity among developing states, particularly those that are still struggling to fully adopt it. Pakistan finds itself at a critical crossroads.

In spite of recognizing AI’s potential, it falls far behind its regional competitors, especially India, which aims to become a hub of AI. This imbalance could widen the already existing security gap between the two neighbors. To protect its interests, Pakistan should seek partnership and knowledge-sharing frameworks with friendly nations rather than only investing in AI-driven defense systems. The future of security, after all, will be won by those with the smartest algorithms, not by those who possess the strongest armies.

The future of security belongs to those who merge innovation with intelligence.

The rise of AI is more dangerous than a technological shift. It represents a reordering of global power. Nations that master AI will define not only the future of warfare, but also the foundations of economic and governmental systems. Pakistan faces an urgent and inevitable choice to remain a passive observer or invest in education, innovation, and partnerships that can ensure its Place in the new digital age. However, the race of AI is not about machines replacing humans. It is about how wisely humans choose to use machines. And those choices will determine which nations lead and which are led in the century ahead.

The author is currently pursuing an MS in Peace and Conflict Studies at NUST, with a strong interest in geopolitics, policy, and contemporary international affairs.