Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence by Italian intellectual and author, Alessandro Aresu, is an authoritative and thought-provoking guide on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s global context. Beyond describing technological advancements, Aresu explores how AI shapes economic, cultural, and geopolitical dynamics. His narrative masterfully intertwines history, philosophy, technology, and the biographies of key figures, making the book both informative and engaging.
Aresu — who served as a consultant for both the Draghi and Meloni governments — provides a rich overview of the historical and philosophical foundations of AI. Starting with pioneers such as Alan Turing, John von Neumann, and Claude Shannon, he connects the mathematical roots of AI to its technological evolution. The book highlights AI’s dual nature: both a technical discipline and a reflection of humanity’s ambitions, fears and myths. AI’s development is deeply intertwined with pivotal moments in history, from the Cold War to advancements in microelectronics and the rise of the internet.
One of the book’s most original features is its use of biographies to narrate then evolution of AI. Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, is central to this approach. Huang’s journey from being a Taiwanese immigrant to a Silicon Valley entrepreneur serves as a thread connecting technological progress to the social and economic dynamism of the US. Through Huang’s story, Aresu examines the shift from gaming to autonomous driving, computational biology, and parallel computing, illustrating the multifaceted applications of AI.
Aresu delves into the geopolitics of AI, highlighting its emergence as a key battleground between global powers, especially the US and China and while the former maintains a technological edge through Silicon Valley’s ecosystem, the latter is making rapid advances via substantial investments in research and infrastructure. Aresu notes Europe’s struggle to compete, citing its difficulty in retaining talent, investing in infrastructure, and crafting a cohesive AI strategy.
When it comes to other important incubators, Aresu’s insights into the Gulf Arab region’s role in the global AI race are particularly relevant. All the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE — have launched ambitious projects to diversify their economies and reduce reliance on oil revenues by investing heavily in AI. Initiatives such as Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund G42, which partners with Microsoft, and Saudi and Emirati investments in AI chip supply chains exemplify this strategic pivot. The Gulf states aim to position themselves as technological hubs, leveraging GPUs (graphics processing units) for advanced AI applications. This approach underscores their intent to transition from energy exporters to digital economy leaders.
A recurring theme in the book is the contrast between Europe and the Gulf in leveraging AI. While Europe struggles with fragmented policies and limited investments, Gulf states effectively attract capital and expertise through financial resources, centralized governance, and political vision. This divergence raises critical questions for Europe-Gulf relations: Europe could benefit from closer collaboration with Gulf nations to address its technological gaps, but it must also develop a more coherent strategy to enhance its competitiveness and innovation capacity.
Aresu presents AI as a geopolitical lever reshaping global power dynamics. The ‘technological cold war’ between the US and China dominates the scene, but the Arab Gulf region has skillfully positioned itself as a bridge between East and West. Gulf investments, initially targeting Western partnerships, increasingly include Chinese collaborations, reflecting a nuanced strategy to balance relationships with major powers.
The book also underscores the strategic importance of data, termed the as the ‘new oil.’ With their focus on integrating advanced technologies into their economies, Gulf states are poised to become central hubs for data collection and utilization, amplifying their global influence.
The Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence invites readers to consider the opportunities and risks in Europe-Gulf relations. The Gulf’s financial resources and strategic visions complements Europe’s technological potential, offering significant synergy. However, current disparities in innovation strategies risk perpetuating imbalances in their partnership. For Europe, the Gulf’s approach underscores the importance of decisive investment in AI not only for economic competitiveness but also for strategic security and autonomy.
Aresu’s book is a valuable resource for understanding the transformative power of AI and its role in global geopolitics. The Gulf Arab region emerges as a dynamic player, shaping the future of the digital economy and influencing power relations worldwide. In an era where technological innovation defines global competition, “Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence” reminds us that intelligence — whether artificial or human — is the cornerstone of a sustainable and prosperous future.