China Expands AI Influence in Asia, Africa Amid Global Tech Shift

China is actively advancing its own AI capabilities and governance frameworks, emphasizing the need to develop indigenous knowledge systems that reflect its unique cultural and social context rather than relying solely on Western theories. The rollout of China's generative AI, DeepSeek R1, has challenged assumptions about AI innovation being exclusive to wealthy nations, as it offers cost-effective AI solutions accessible to the Global South, fostering China's influence through initiatives like the Digital Silk Road and the proposed Global AI Cooperation Organization. However, DeepSeek has raised serious privacy concerns, as users unknowingly expose sensitive data to Chinese government surveillance, highlighting risks associated with the app's widespread adoption. Meanwhile, global AI development features dynamic partnerships and strategic moves, such as Microsoft and OpenAI's evolving alliance and Asian tech giants focusing on domestic chip production to reduce reliance on U.S. technology, signaling a fragmented AI supply chain and competition for technological sovereignty. In Iran, efforts to nurture AI talent through enhanced mathematics education aim to prepare students for a future where AI reshapes professions, underscoring the global imperative to invest in AI expertise and innovation. Collectively, these developments illustrate a shifting global AI landscape marked by geopolitical contestation, emerging AI ecosystems, and the balancing of innovation, privacy, and control.