The Global Majority’s AI Opportunity
A New Path to Digital Sovereignty
Earlier this year, the United Nations General Assembly released the Global Digital Compact, a framework for equitable digital technology use and responsible AI development. In parallel, the World Economic Forum's Centre for Trustworthy Technology hosted a session on ‘The Future of AI: Perspectives from the Global Community,' which gave voice to leaders from the Global Majority exploring the role of emerging technologies in creating just, equitable, and prosperous digital futures. I was honored to participate in that forum where much was debated about how AI is leaving the Global Majority behind. I see the risks but also see opportunities as AI systems become central to economic and political strategy. Nations in the Global South, representing 85% of the world's population, are increasingly grappling with digital colonization and the challenges of resource-constrained AI development. However, they can reclaim sovereignty through innovative public policy, nurturing scientific talent, and harnessing clean energy for computing infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence is often understood as machine learning algorithms using extensive computing power to learn from data. This “AI triad” - data, talent to develop the algorithms, and computing power - offers a framework to understand both the promises and risks of AI in the context of global power dynamics as AI becomes a critical driver of economic growth. With decreasing computing costs, an explosion of data sources, and in the wake of ChatGPT, AI has transcended academic and investment spheres, entering the public consciousness, particularly in wealthier nations. However, this rapid uptake also brings risks, from algorithmic bias to labor displacement and existential threats posed by autonomous systems. The AI triad provides a lens into these risks and can highlight the untapped potential for the Global Majority to assert digital sovereignty and unlock new opportunities.
These nations, often overlooked in the tech race and representing the largest portion of the world’s population, have unique opportunities to shape AI development to address their socio-economic needs. By understanding how AI can be localized and tailored to their contexts, they can seek economic sovereignty, bridge development gaps, and build technological ecosystems that reflect their cultural and ethical values. This highlights the importance of inclusivity in tech policy and development, ensuring that innovation does not reinforce existing global inequalities but rather empowers a more equitable and diverse digital future.
Data: From Digital Colonization to Empowerment
Today’s AI advancements depend on vast amounts of data—often obtained through monetization of personal information and attention. This led to "digital colonization," as companies extract value from user data without equitable compensation. Yet, the Global Majority holds a key advantage: the diversity of languages, cultures, and perspectives offers a wealth of untapped content crucial for training next-generation AI models. As Big Tech faces increasing restrictions on access to high-quality data, the demand for fresh, human-generated content is growing (for example, as much as 25% of premium content is no longer available to companies like OpenAI for model training). Relying on synthetic data risks model collapse, making it clear that real, diverse content is essential. Herein lies an opportunity for the Global Majority: By embracing data sovereignty and creating frameworks that empower local content producers, these nations can shift from being victims of data extraction to leaders in original content creation.
This shift requires policy frameworks that ensure fair compensation and protect digital rights. Countries like Germany have already implemented data sovereignty laws, and similar initiatives could help the Global Majority balance the need for data control with economic growth. The conversation must center on human rights and self-determination, as well as the strategic autonomy that digital sovereignty provides.
Talent: Investing in Human Capital
The second pillar of the AI triad is talent—the people and expertise behind the algorithms. Currently, talent is concentrated in a few major tech companies, as seen in Microsoft’s strategic partnerships with OpenAI and its acquisition of AI talent from startups like Inflexion AI.
While talent concentration is common in the tech sector, it poses a unique challenge in AI. The high cost of AI development and its competitive advantages have created a surge in demand for specialized skills. For nations in the Global Majority, the challenge is twofold: investing in education to cultivate homegrown AI talent while fostering ecosystems that support entrepreneurship and innovation. This is a long-term investment that requires not just funding for universities and research centers but also a commitment to nurturing startup ecosystems and capital markets that can fuel local innovation, as well as implementing programs for Lifelong Learning to ensure that the public is kept engaged in the workforce.
Moving beyond the role of low-cost labor providers, countries like Brazil are already showing that it’s possible to compete higher up the AI value chain. Take Orby.co, a Brazilian company focused on AI-driven neuromodulation (disclosure: I am on their board). The company’s original success was rooted in its proximity to academic research centers and its ability to attract talent.
Computing Power: A Clean Energy Opportunity
Finally, AI’s increasing dependence on computing power presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Training large-scale AI models has become prohibitively expensive, with costs doubling annually since 2016 and reaching $1 billion in 2024. Only a few of the world’s largest economies can afford to keep up. Furthermore, the environmental impact is significant—the carbon emissions from training a single model are equivalent to 125 round-trip flights between New York and Beijing.
However, countries with abundant clean energy sources have an opportunity. For example, Brazil, where 60% of electricity is generated from hydropower, can attract data centers and AI infrastructure investments. For nations in the Global Majority, public policy should incentivize investments in green infrastructure and encourage the use of technologies to reduce data center power consumption. By fostering developments in energy-efficient hardware and optimizing cooling and storage systems, these countries can position themselves as sustainable AI hubs. This strategy allows them to meet the growing demand for computing power in an environmentally responsible way, turning a potential vulnerability into a strategic advantage.
Seizing the AI Moment
The Global Majority has a unique opportunity to reassert digital sovereignty through thoughtful policy and strategic investments in the AI triad: data, talent, and computing power. By developing frameworks that protect digital rights, nurture talent, and leverage clean energy, these nations can participate in the AI revolution and help shape its future on their terms.