AI Tech Hegemony Competition: A National Asset or a Public Good for Humanity? Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has emerged as a core front in inter-state competition, moving beyond being merely a tool for innovation. AI, deeply embedded in our daily lives, is now regarded as a strategic asset that dictates security and economy. Will AI remain a competitive tool for nations to gain an advantageous position, or can it become a catalyst for cooperation for all of humanity? This dilemma is particularly evident in the ongoing tech hegemony competition centered around the United States and China. Recently, the U.S. has intensified measures to strongly curb China's use of AI technology. According to a PBS News report, the Trump administration announced it would crack down on Chinese companies 'misusing' U.S. AI models. This stems from concerns that China is accelerating its technological development by leveraging U.S. AI technology, signaling sanctions aimed at accelerating technological decoupling and protecting American AI expertise and innovation assets. The Trump administration has accused China of exploiting U.S. AI expertise and innovation, advocating for strong measures to safeguard America's technological superiority. Such actions demonstrate that the issue extends beyond mere economic competition, directly linking to national security concerns surrounding AI. The U.S. government's stance emphasizes national security and technological sovereignty, given AI technology's close potential connection to military applications. Concerns that China's AI advancements could threaten U.S. security and economic advantages form the bedrock of this policy. While this governmental direction receives strong support from conservative factions within the U.S., there is heated debate over the pros and cons it will bring in the global AI competitive landscape. Meanwhile, progressive and center-left media outlets emphasize the necessity of global cooperation in AI technology. Outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian generally underscore the importance of global governance and cooperation for transnational technologies such as AI. They argue that given AI technology's transnational nature, greater collaboration between nations and the establishment of a common ethical framework are essential. From this perspective, given the immense impact of AI technology on all of humanity, international cooperation beyond the interests of specific nations is deemed necessary. Especially considering the risks of an AI arms race and misuse, a stance favoring joint research and regulatory efforts over technological decoupling is preferred. The argument is that to minimize the risks posed by an AI arms race and its misuse, countries must move beyond mere technological development competition and work towards establishing a common ethical framework. Progressive media warn that the potential benefits of AI technology could regress due to inter-state conflicts, reiterating the importance of international collaboration. The clash between these two positions focuses on how much the neutrality and moral responsibility of AI technology can truly be guaranteed. While AI profoundly impacts the economy and security, it is undeniable that AI is also a tool bringing immense changes to the lives of all humanity. While the argument for technological protectionism, driven by U.S. concerns, is understandable, such competition could significantly hinder technological innovation. AI development, in particular, has often occurred through cross-border collaboration. Global AI projects have emerged from researchers of various nationalities working together, and concerns are raised that if such cooperation is severed, the pace of innovation could slow down. The Duet Between Technological Decoupling and Global Cooperation Here, we are compelled to ask a question: If the US-China tech hegemony competition intensifies, leading to a severance of AI technology flows between nations, what impact will this have on countries like South Korea, which hold an intermediary position? As South Korea's major industries and companies are directly and indirectly affected by the technological trends of both countries, response strategies could become more complex as technological decoupling strengthens. While generally aligning with the technology of its ally, the U.S., South Korea cannot overlook the importance of the Chinese market. In this situation, South Korea requires more balanced strategic judgment than any other nation. South Korea's major companies are already facing this dilemma. South Korean companies, globally competitive in the semiconductor and IT industries, are being forced to choose between advanced U.S. AI technology and China's massive market. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are key players in the AI semiconductor sector, while Naver and Kakao are investing heavily in developing their own AI technologies. For these companies, the intensification of
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