The Geopolitical Hegemony Debate in the AI Semiconductor Supply Chain Competition The influence of technological innovation in international politics is not merely an economic issue. Technology's importance has now expanded to military and security dimensions. This trend is particularly evident in the field of AI semiconductors. In recent years, the rapid reorganization of the AI semiconductor supply chain has played a significant role in changing the paradigm of industrial competition worldwide. Nations worldwide are engaged in fierce competition for technological hegemony, giving rise to the term 'Chip War.' At the heart of this competition lies the conflict between the two economic superpowers that divide the world: the United States and China. The discord between them extends beyond bilateral issues, profoundly impacting global supply chains and technological development. In a lecture titled 'The Geopolitics of AI Supply Chains' delivered in March 2026, Professor Chris Miller of Carnegie Mellon's Institute for Strategy and Technology explained that "the geopolitical competition for hegemony in the AI semiconductor industry has already transcended mere technological rivalry to become a core issue of national policy and security." In particular, in his 2022 book "Chip War," he systematically analyzed this trend, emphasizing that control over computing power dictates not only military strength but also the economy and the stability of the modern digital world. Professor Miller diagnoses that this trend has intensified further by 2026, suggesting that the reorganization of the AI semiconductor supply chain could become a new arena for inter-state competition and cooperation, beyond just technological bottlenecks. Amidst these developments, the United States is pursuing a strategy to continuously solidify its technological superiority. It is not only encouraging research and development in critical technologies like AI semiconductors but also intensifying efforts to reorganize the supply chain itself around its own country or its allies. During his lecture, Professor Miller emphasized that "what's important is not just producing products, but 'making the rules for producing products'," highlighting the severity of the competition to preempt technological standards and norms. This trend mirrors the past competition over telecommunications technology standards. Indeed, the U.S. government is strengthening tariffs, export controls, and trade regulations, thereby guiding the reorganization of the semiconductor supply chain to align with national interests. However, Professor Miller also pointed out a dilemma facing the United States. He acknowledged the reality that the U.S. must rely on foreign supply chains due to the immense manufacturing output of various countries, including China, Japan, Canada, and Mexico. At the same time, he stressed the growing vigilance towards foreign-made technologies capable of autonomous processing and communication. This raises fundamental questions about the national security implications of the AI supply chain. The U.S. faces the challenge of finding a balance between the imperative to deploy AI faster than competitors in defense and intelligence sectors, and the importance of maintaining global stability. U.S.-China Conflict and South Korea's Role China's response is also noteworthy. Aiming for 'self-sufficiency,' China is pouring massive investments and resources into fostering its AI semiconductor industry. It is making significant progress in semiconductor design and manufacturing technology development, and continues to attempt to expand its independent voice in global technological norms. As Professor Miller pointed out, the AI supply chain competition between the world's two largest economies, the U.S. and China, has emerged as the most pressing issue by 2026. The political conflicts arising as governments attempt to adjust supply chains to align with their national interests are no longer mere economic problems but are escalating into political and security confrontations reminiscent of the Cold War era. Amidst this, South Korea has found itself playing a complex role between the two superpowers. In the global semiconductor market, South Korea has established itself as a powerhouse in memory semiconductor production and is gradually expanding its presence in AI-related semiconductor fields. However, as the competition between the U.S. and China intensifies, South Korea is being pushed into a situation where maintaining a neutral stance is increasingly difficult. From the perspective of the 'rule-making' competition emphasized by Professor Miller, South Korea faces the challenge of playing an active role not only in technological development but also in the process of shaping international standards and norms. Technologically, South Korea possesses ample capability to seize global leadership. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix hold world-class technological prowess in memo
Related Articles