Digital swing states: How middle powers can bridge the global AI divide

The global AI landscape is increasingly being seen as a two-horse race between the United States and China, where the vast majority of infrastructure, capital, and talent are concentrated. The two superpowers control nearly 70% of the world’s top-tier AI researchers, with their private and public investments reaching hundreds of billions of dollars each. This dominance is not merely economic; recent developments suggest both nations are willing to weaponise their technological capabilities to maintain geopolitical edges.

This reality leaves significant powers–India, France, the UK, Japan and others–in a precarious position. They are understandably worried and unwilling to remain bystanders.