Artificial Intelligence Competition in Central Asia and the US Strategy
The AI competition between the US and China in Central Asia is evaluated along the axes of Firebird.ai and NVIDIA investments and diplomatic challenges.
The United States and China are engaged in a strategic competition to establish supremacy in Central Asia's emerging artificial intelligence market. US-based private sector initiatives aimed at increasing local computing power in the region are facing Washington's foreign policy dilemmas.
Steps in Armenia and Kazakhstan
San Francisco-based startup Firebird.ai, in cooperation with NVIDIA, is establishing large data centers in Armenia and Kazakhstan. These projects aim to increase emerging markets' access to US technology.
Kazakhstan's Astana-based data center projects aim to make the country a computing power hub in the region.
Multi-Vector Diplomacy and Contradictions
While participating in the US Pax Silica initiative, Kazakhstan is also signing China's AI agreements, pursuing a multi-vector foreign policy.
Washington's threats of sanctions against countries using Chinese technology carry the risk of endangering billions of dollars in investments.
Alternative Approaches for the US
Experts argue that instead of imposing strict dilemmas on countries, the US should compete by financing private sector projects.
It is important to develop partnerships in complementary areas such as network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI literacy.