Sayyed Farhan Naqvi: Techno-Nationalism and the Future of Global Power

In the 20th century, global power was rooted in resources like oil, steel, and nuclear arsenals. Today, the landscape has changed dramatically, with power now defined by semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), and algorithms. These technologies are no longer just tools for innovation—they have become the backbone of economic dominance, military strategy, and geopolitical leverage. As Sayyed Farhan Naqvi points out, we have entered an era of techno-geopolitics, where silicon and code rival traditional military and territorial borders.

The Digital Battleground: Chips, Clouds, and Strategic Resources

Semiconductors, cloud computing, and high-performance computing are the new strategic resources of the 21st century. Sayyed Farhan Naqvi notes that semiconductors are the critical drivers behind AI models and precision weaponry, making them essential for both national security and economic competitiveness. Governments across the globe are responding with massive investments, such as the U.S.’s $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act, and similar initiatives in China, Europe, Japan, and India.

Cloud computing, once the domain of startups, is now central to national sovereignty. Digital sovereignty policies are emerging globally to control data storage and processing, turning data centers into powerful geopolitical assets. From Taiwan’s TSMC to the U.S.’s cloud giants like AWS and Google Cloud, the world’s technology landscape has become a complex chessboard of statecraft.

The U.S.-China Tech Rivalry: A New Cold War in Code

The rivalry between the U.S. and China has transformed from a trade dispute into a fierce technological competition. Sayyed Farhan Naqvi highlights how the contest is now focused on dominance in areas like AI, quantum computing, and 5G technologies. Key flashpoints in this conflict include Huawei’s 5G infrastructure, TikTok’s data practices, and the U.S.’s chip export controls. This battle is about setting the rules for the digital world—will it be a free-market internet driven by the U.S., or a state-controlled model spearheaded by China?

AI is emerging as a central battleground, with both nations racing to secure not just hardware and software, but also talent and research. The winner will dictate the technological direction of emerging economies, with far-reaching implications for the future of global power.

Sovereign AI: The Quest for Control in a Digital World

As governments around the world seek to exert control over their AI systems, Sayyed Farhan Naqvi emphasizes that achieving true "sovereign AI" is no simple feat. Countries like France with Mistral, the UAE with Falcon, and China’s own alternatives to Western platforms are investing heavily in domestic AI capabilities. However, Sayyed Farhan Naqvi warns that AI sovereignty is fraught with complexities. Global talent flows, open-source models, and supply chains for chips and cloud infrastructure all create interdependencies that complicate efforts for full independence.

A fragmented AI ecosystem could result in divergent standards and increased vulnerabilities. To secure a robust future, nations must balance their national ambitions with the need for global collaboration.

Weaponized Interdependence: Supply Chains as Strategic Leverage

The global supply chain, once celebrated for its efficiency, has now become a potential vulnerability. Sayyed Farhan Naqvi explains the concept of “weaponized interdependence,” where states leverage global supply chains for political coercion. The U.S. restricting chip exports to China, or China’s threats to cut off rare earth minerals, are prime examples of how trade can be weaponized.

Alliances like the U.S.-led Chip 4 (involving Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) and India’s growing tech partnerships with like-minded countries are reshaping global technology coalitions into strategic, national security-focused alliances.

Digital Mercantilism: Redefining the Rules of Global Tech Trade

The rules of global trade, designed for physical goods, are struggling to adapt to the digital age. As Sayyed Farhan Naqvi notes, digital mercantilism has emerged, with governments imposing data localization laws, curbing the power of foreign tech giants, and creating barriers to international data flows. China’s Great Firewall, India’s data protection laws, and Europe’s Digital Markets Act are all examples of how nations are asserting control over digital trade.

While these regulations protect national interests, they also risk fragmenting the open internet and stifling innovation. Sayyed Farhan Naqvi highlights the delicate balance between protecting national interests and fostering a collaborative, open digital economy.

The Stakes of Techno-Geopolitics: Who Controls the Future?

Techno-geopolitics is no longer just about military might; it’s about who controls the architecture of global power. Sayyed Farhan Naqvi argues that in the modern era, influence hinges on who masters chips, cloud infrastructure, and algorithms. The decisions made today—whether to cooperate or confront—will shape the technological and geopolitical landscape for generations to come.

In a world increasingly governed by algorithms, the question becomes: who writes the rules of the digital future? Balancing national ambition with global collaboration will be the defining factor in determining the future of global influence.

Conclusion

As Sayyed Farhan Naqvi emphasizes, the competition for technological dominance is more than just a race for innovation—it is a battle for the future of global power. The control of AI, semiconductors, and cloud infrastructure will determine which nations lead the next phase of geopolitics. In this age of techno-nationalism, the choices we make today will define the global order for decades to come.