The article highlights a growing digital divide in access to powerful AI computing, primarily concentrated in the US, China, and the EU. This concentration influences global geopolitics and economics, creating dependencies and sparking a race for technological dominance.
Only 32 nations possess AI-specialized data centers, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. The US and China dominate, controlling over 90% of the data centers used for AI development, leaving regions like Africa and South America significantly behind. This imbalance impacts scientific research, business growth, and talent retention in less-equipped nations.
The scarcity of GPUs (graphics processing units), crucial for advanced AI, contributes to the divide. These high-demand chips, mainly produced by Nvidia, require costly infrastructure to utilize effectively, furthering the gap between nations with access to data centers and those without. The high costs and dependence on US and Chinese companies for computing power present challenges for businesses and researchers globally.
The unequal distribution of AI power fuels geopolitical competition. The US and China exert influence through trade restrictions and investments, impacting countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Countries like Kenya, despite their efforts to build relationships with the US, are excluded from accessing crucial semiconductors, leaving opportunities for China to fill the void.
Many nations are actively investing in AI infrastructure, creating sovereign AI capabilities. India is subsidizing compute power, Brazil has pledged $4 billion to AI projects, and the EU is planning significant investments to decrease reliance on US companies. These initiatives underscore the growing recognition of the digital divide and the need for national technological self-sufficiency.
Despite these efforts, bridging the divide is a considerable challenge. Even initiatives like Cassava's plan to build data centers across Africa are expected to address only a small percentage of the region's demand. The need for collaboration and resource sharing among nations remains crucial to ensure equitable access to AI technology and prevent the further exacerbation of the digital divide.