The artificial intelligence revolution is often described as universal but its benefits have so far been concentrated in the countries shaping frontier models. The US, where staggering amounts of capital are flowing into the sector, has embraced technological sovereignty as an instrument of power. China regards AI development as a strategic and deeply embedded state project, with the explicit ambition of global leadership by 2030 — hence the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization in Shanghai last month.

Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni argues that technological power will be measured by the usefulness of culturally relevant models.

The artificial intelligence revolution is often described as universal but its benefits have so far been concentrated in the countries shaping frontier models. The US, where…