1- University of Tehran, Tehran, Enghelab St., Vesal Shirazi St., corner of Zarrin Koob Alley, Faculty of Geography, Building No. 1, 3rd Floor, Room 308 , mbadiee@ut.ac.ir
2- University of Tehran, Tehran, Enghelab St., Vesal Shirazi St., Zarrinkoob Alley, Faculty of Geography, Building No. 1, Third Floor, Room 308
2- University of Tehran, Tehran, Enghelab St., Vesal Shirazi St., Zarrinkoob Alley, Faculty of Geography, Building No. 1, Third Floor, Room 308
Abstract: (83 Views)
In recent decades, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its expanding applications in human life have brought about extensive transformations across various sectors, particularly in the economic sphere. This has significantly heightened the importance of developing this technology for major global powers. Mineral resources serve as the essential raw materials for manufacturing AI-related hardware; consequently, access to these resources is crucial for nations and companies active in this field. Within the geopolitical competition to acquire these mineral resources, the means of controlling and accessing them can be utilized as leverage to exert pressure and impose restrictions on the development of AI technologies. Consequently, countries possessing these resources are pursuing stockpiling and even exploiting resources from other nations to not only increase their own influence and control but also to secure their future access to these materials.
This study is applied research conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. The main research questions are: What role do mineral resources play in the development of AI technology, and how does the geopolitical competition among great powers for acquiring these resources unfold? Based on the research findings, mineral resources, as critical raw materials for manufacturing equipment and a source of capital, significantly impact the production of AI technology hardware. The competition among great powers for these mineral resources often manifests through strategies such as stockpiling, price manipulation, and resource processing. The results indicate that access to, control over, and supervision of the mineral mines used in AI hardware production enable major powers like the United States and China not only to influence the global trajectory of this technology's development and utilization but also to prevent the entry of rival actors into this arena or diminish their potential role.
This study is applied research conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. The main research questions are: What role do mineral resources play in the development of AI technology, and how does the geopolitical competition among great powers for acquiring these resources unfold? Based on the research findings, mineral resources, as critical raw materials for manufacturing equipment and a source of capital, significantly impact the production of AI technology hardware. The competition among great powers for these mineral resources often manifests through strategies such as stockpiling, price manipulation, and resource processing. The results indicate that access to, control over, and supervision of the mineral mines used in AI hardware production enable major powers like the United States and China not only to influence the global trajectory of this technology's development and utilization but also to prevent the entry of rival actors into this arena or diminish their potential role.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Geopolitical Competition, Mineral Resources, Great Powers, Geopolitics of Resources
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Political geography
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons — Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)