Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of International Politics

Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of International Politics: Geopolitical Competition and the Emergence of a New Order.

Discussing AI from the Perspective of International Relations

AI Technology: Embracing Both Opportunity and Threat Formulating Strategies Considering the Versatility and Dual-Use Nature of AI

Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating new economic and industrial value while simultaneously intersecting with issues of technological sovereignty and economic security, including the underlying data, algorithms, and manufacturing infrastructure. When considering the use of AI for public opinion manipulation via disinformation or its military application as a dual-use technology, AI can also serve as a tool for national security threats embedded with political objectives.

In this sense, technological progress in AI can both strengthen and threaten security. Furthermore, the global proliferation of AI technology increases interdependence between nations while potentially triggering new forms of conflict. Given these characteristics, it is essential to comprehensively analyze the opportunities and threats posed by AI and prepare across military-security, technological, and legal-institutional dimensions.

Driven by this critical awareness, this book outlines the current state of the global AI race by analyzing the AI hegemony competition between the U.S. and China. It explores the transformation of international politics through AI across three key sectors:

  • AI and International Political Economy: Analyzes AI-related issues from an IPE perspective, focusing on technological competition, export controls, and platform rivalry.
  • AI and Emerging Security: Examines international political issues regarding AI through the lens of modern security theory, focusing on emerging technology security, cybersecurity, and space security.
  • AI and Warfare, Governance, and International Norms: Analyzes diplomatic and security-focused issues, including Military Transformation (RMA) and future warfare, global regulatory governance, and international norms and multilateral diplomacy.

Contents

Preface: Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of International Politics

Chapter 1. AI Geopolitics and South Korea: Focusing on the U.S.-China AI Hegemony Competition — Sang-bae Kim

  1. Introduction
  2. U.S.-China Competition in AI Technology and Platforms
  3. U.S.-China Competition in AI Regulation and Discourse
  4. U.S.-China Competition in AI Diplomacy and Arms Race
  5. Challenges for Middle Power AI National Strategies
  6. Conclusion

Part I. Artificial Intelligence and International Political Economy

Chapter 2. Current Status and Outlook of AI Technology — Won-tae Lee

  1. Introduction
  2. Historical Development and Recent Trends of AI Technology
  3. Key Characteristics of AI Technological Advancements
  4. Future Outlook of AI Technology and Its Implications for International Politics

Chapter 3. AI and the Competition over AI Semiconductors — In-tae Yoo

  1. Introduction
  2. U.S. Export Control Policies on AI Semiconductors
  3. Corporate Responses to U.S. AI Semiconductor Export Controls
  4. AI Semiconductor Export Controls and International Cooperation
  5. Conclusion: China’s Rise in AI Semiconductor Technology and Ecosystem Expansion

Chapter 4. U.S.-China AI Competition and the Platform Economy — Seung-joo Lee

  1. Digital Technological Innovation and the Evolutionary Stages of Platform Competition
  2. The Emergence of the AI-based Platform Industry Ecosystem
  3. Shifts in the “Framework” of Platform Competition
  4. Blockization of the AI Ecosystem
  5. New Phases of AI Platform Competition

Part II. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Security

Chapter 5. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Security — Jung-hyun Yoon

  1. Introduction
  2. The General-Purpose Impact of AI and Perceptions of Major Powers
  3. Emerging Securitization of AI: Aspect of Qualitative Transformation from Quantitative Change
  4. Emerging Securitization of AI: Aspect of Issue-Linkage
  5. Emerging Securitization of AI: Aspect of Emergence
  6. Conclusion: Future Implications for AI and Emerging Technology Security

Chapter 6. AI and Cybersecurity: Tool, Object, and Agency — Jong Jin Lee

  1. Introduction
  2. AI in Cybersecurity
  3. Cybersecurity of AI
  4. Conclusion: The Limited Agency of Artificial Intelligence

Chapter 7. Artificial Intelligence and Space Security — Heon-joo Jung

  1. Introduction
  2. AI and Space Activities
  3. Dynamics of AI and Space Security
  4. AI and Space Security: Various Threats and Responses
  5. Conclusion

Part III. Artificial Intelligence and Warfare, Governance, and International Norms

Chapter 8. AI and Future Warfare: Challenges of National Defense AI Transformation and Digital RMA — Dae-yeob Yoon

  1. Introduction: AI Warfare
  2. Automation, Unmanned Systems, and National Defense AI Transformation: Perspectives
  3. Origins of National Defense AI Transformation: Project Maven
  4. Digital Foundations of National Defense AI: Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War
  5. Conclusion and Challenges for the AI Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA)

Chapter 9. International Politics of Global AI Regulatory Governance: Multilayered Landscapes of Competition and Cooperation — Su-yeon Lee

  1. Introduction
  2. Global Competition Structure in AI Regulatory Governance
  3. Cooperation Structure in AI Regulatory Governance
  4. Issue-specific Competition and Cooperation in AI Regulatory Governance
  5. Conclusion: Establishing Global AI Regulatory Governance and South Korea

Chapter 10. International Norms and Multilateral Diplomacy regarding AI Risks — Tae-eun Song

  1. Introduction
  2. AI Technological Innovation and AI Security
  3. AI Risk Management and AI Safety
  4. Tensions between AI Norm Multilateral Diplomacy and National Security
  5. Conclusion: AI Multilateral Diplomacy with Private Sector Participation