SETA's new book sheds light on AI competition between US and China

By Dilara Hamit

The Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) has released a new book addressing the competition between US and China in the field of artificial intelligence.

The book, Artificial Intelligence Arms Dynamics: The Case of the U.S. and China Rivalry, is authored by Gloria Shkurti Ozdemir, a researcher at the SETA Foundation and assistant editor of the academic journal Insight Türkiye.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undergone rapid evolution, not only by penetrating every aspect of our life but also by transitioning from theoretical concepts to foundational components of modern military strategy,” the description of the book on the SETA website says.

“This book focuses into the heart of this evolution, focusing on the escalating AI arms rivalry between the U.S. and China. Drawing upon Barry Buzan’s theoretical frameworks, this book aims to analyze if there is an AI arms race between the U.S. and China as a part of the ongoing great power competition.”

The findings, SETA said, reveal that both countries view AI as a critical element of future warfare and national security, resulting in substantial investments in research and development.

While the US, with its historically dominant military-technological edge, “seeks to maintain its superiority through innovation and strategic partnerships,” China’s “ambitious” AI strategy aims to establish its leadership in AI technology by 2030, challenging US dominance and reshaping the global security landscape.

SETA said the analysis shows that rather than an AI arms race where the possibility for warfare should be high, the rivalry between US-China is more an “AI arms competition” with both states not willing to start a direct war with each other, at least for the short term.

The study finds that this competition is driven by both external threats and internal motivations, with the technological imperative serving as the main driving force behind the rivalry.

In conclusion, the research suggests that the AI arms competition between the two largest economies is a defining feature of contemporary international security dynamics, carrying profound implications for global stability.

The book is available for purchase at book stores in Türkiye, and can also be ordered online.