SOFT POWER IN GREAT POWER POLITICS: COMPETING AI GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORKS OF US AND CHINA

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the twenty-first century, reshaping various sociopolitical and governance aspects. The great power struggles to harness the potential of AI are based on the underlying political values that inform their approaches to its development and governance, which have become increasingly significant. Scrutinizing the postulates of Joseph Nye's soft power theory, the central argument lies in AI incorporation and regulation as instruments for operationalizing political values and expanding global influence. Premised on this theoretical framework, the research explores the political values promulgated by the US and China, manifested in their AI governance models, and the subsequent impact on soft power projection. The strategies for AI regulation reflect their political systems, as well as the strategic power and alliance systems, which echo geopolitical ambitions. To address these considerations, this research uses a comparative analysis method: examining American democracy and the transparent use of AI to govern, while exploring the Western perspective on China's AI governance. It concludes that AI governance remains central to global competition, as these tech superpowers are at the forefront, redefining the norms of global politics and shaping the international structure in the contemporary world.