The rivalry between the United States and China is no longer just on military or diplomatic grounds. It is now shifting to the heart of technological revolution. Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data, and digital infrastructures have become the new instruments of power. In this context, several analysts speak of a new Cold War, not ideological like in the 20th century, but technological.
Artificial intelligence at the core of the rivalry between great powers
For several years, the United States and China have been engaged in intense competition to dominate strategic technologies. Artificial intelligence plays a central role in this confrontation. AI applications extend beyond the civilian domain: they also involve defense, intelligence, cybersecurity, and large-scale data analysis. Whoever masters AI technologies potentially has a major strategic advantage in 21st-century conflicts. Washington has decided to limit China’s access to the most advanced technologies, especially in the field of semiconductors necessary for AI systems to function. Several restrictions have been imposed on the export of chips and manufacturing equipment to Chinese companies. Beijing, on the other hand, is investing heavily to reduce its technological dependence and build a national industry capable of competing with American giants.
Semiconductors, a new strategic core of the global economy
In this confrontation, semiconductors have become a strategic resource comparable to oil in the 20th century. Advanced semiconductor chips are essential for operating AI models, cloud computing infrastructures, and much of modern military technology. Their production is concentrated in a very limited number of countries and companies. This concentration creates a major technological dependence and transforms supply chains into geopolitical issues. The United States seeks to secure access to critical technologies by massively supporting its semiconductor industry and strengthening its technological alliances with Europe and several Asian countries. Taiwan is a stake in this area as it is a producer of semiconductors. China, on the other hand, accelerates its investments to develop its own production capacity and bypass Western restrictions. This rivalry is gradually transforming the global economy into a space of strategic competition where technology becomes a tool of power.
Towards a technological fragmentation of the world
The consequence of this rivalry could be a gradual fragmentation of the global technological system. Some experts already mention the possibility of two competing digital ecosystems: one dominated by the United States and its allies, the other structured around China and its partners. Such a division would have major consequences for the global economy, as digital technologies are now at the core of almost all economic activities. Companies could be forced to navigate between multiple technological standards and regulatory systems. In this context, artificial intelligence appears as one of the central battlefields of the rivalry between great powers. The competition for talents, data, infrastructures, and energy resources necessary for the development of AI intensifies every year. If the Cold War of the 20th century was based on nuclear balance, that of the 21st century could well revolve around algorithms, computing centers, and control of digital technologies.
