Politics and technology
In the present modern globalised world the political strings are stretched by the technology that is taking over every aspect of day to day life. The rapid growth and advancement of technology are creating new ways of acting and reacting and generating policies that are crucial for national interest. The global IR structure is changing into a cyber body that will be consisting of network of cyber devices and the only people who will dominate in it will be the experts of technology.
In the word of Akira Iriy Japanese American writer “In the age of mass education, a simplistic picture of the past spreads like opium, numbing the minds and clouding considerations of national interest.” From this we can understand how powerful mass media and the upcoming technology are.
The state policies are affected by the social media, AI and cyber attacks which all are included in the definition of technology. The politics of technology and innovation have become central to global international relations, affecting policy-making, state power dynamics, and international security.
The global power structure is shifting from physical realm to the cyber realm. The power balance is changing between states. China and America are the two leading powers in the field. Through AI the data is calculated in highly accurate way and make the best possible policy for the state. The advancement in AI determines strategic leverage and natural security.
Chinese and American industries are moving toward automation and the labor is becoming less costly and the production is booming. The security structure of states is also moving toward technology and is almost wholly based 0n technology nowadays. The technological superiority of Israel is out of question and they have proved this in the walkie talkie and pager attacks in Lebanon.
Cyber warfare has become primary domain in state-sponsored conflict, espionage, and sabotage. Cyber security is the most important part of national security. The several attacks over the time have proved that if country is not highly advanced in cyber domain then the country is not protected. The cyber security threats pose risks to national infrastructure, data privacy, and political stability.
The AI and autonomous system of warfare is taking control of military sector. AI enabled system are transforming military doctrines and the nature of warfare. Autonomous weapons, unmanned drones and AI-based decision-making change strategic calculations and ethical considerations. Moreover the militarization of AI has implications for arms control and international treaties.
AI influence diplomatic strategies through big data analytics, enabling enhanced predictive capabilities in decision making. In modern world the technology had brought innovations and reshaped how the states negotiate, communicate and formulate foreign policy, the technology driven public diplomacy strategies, such as digital outreach and social media campaigns, affect soft power. The media has become so fast that a fact can spread like venom throughout the world and will force the state to formulate their policy according to it.
In modern world dominated by technology and AI an individual can be so powerful that he can change the face of society and spread betterment or violence both in seconds. The individuals and tech companies, hackers and non state actors increasingly influence international relations. Power sector giants like Google, Microsoft, and Huawei play dual roles as economic players and geopolitical actors. Moreover the non-state actors contribute to transnational cyber security threat, data breaches, and digital espionage.
Cyber domain is highly important for a country to keep an eye on. Terrorist groups like TTP are now using mobile games highly advanced apps to recruit members and run operations. They are training their members in AI and technology devices to use advanced gadgets and spread their message rapidly in secured way. To cope all these problems a country must have an army of tech experts so that they won’t be affected by other but will be able to affect others.
The technology has revolutionized the economic domain and created new ways to run global economy. The global tech economy creates interdependencies, but also leads to tech decoupling e.g. US-China technology rivalry. In tech world control over crucial technologies like semiconductors, AI, and 5G becomes a strategic economic weapon. Taiwan is the most important supplier of semiconductors around the world that’s what makes it highly important for America to keep it protected from China. Moreover the emerging technologies influence trade policies, economic sanctions, and international investment strategies.
In the modern world States form technological alliances based on shared technological interest like the QUAD’s tech focus and EU-US technological agreements. There are collaborative efforts in research cyber security, and AI standards-setting shape international tech policy. The tech alliances are part of broader geopolitical strategies to counterbalance rival states’ technological advances. The United States and China are building tech alliances around the world and are competing to dominate the tech world.
With benefits the technology has created some problems to tackle with and solve. The emerging technologies challenge the established norms and ethical standards. Many of citizen right are in danger and the states are becoming more involved in day to day matters of citizens. Crimes like cyber bullying and hacking are some serious issues that majority of people face. The use of AI and digital tools in governance, surveillance, and human right contexts has raised international legal debates.
In summary, the interplay of technology and international politics not only redefines power structures but also reshapes global strategies, norms, and alliances. Policymakers must address these technological dynamics to craft effective and adaptive IR strategies.
