This essay anthology brings together visionary thinkers, policymakers, and experts to challenge the narrative of AI as a zero-sum competition.
The idea that AI is an arms race between the US and China has taken hold of contemporary geopolitics. But is it the right framing?
Drawing on diverse perspectives from diplomacy, philanthropy, civil rights, national security and economics, the essays in this anthology explore the limitations of the arms race metaphor and ask key questions about its origins and influence. While each author offers a unique viewpoint from their own expertise, taken together their collective insights reveal the shortcomings of this framework as a lens for interpreting the complex geopolitical realities of AI and reveal alternative ways of understanding AI’s geopolitical influence and potential.
Authors
Led by Director of AIxGEO Verity Harding, the collection brings together contributions from the AIxGEO team including Research Lead Dr Aleksei Turobov and Bennett Professor of Public Policy Professor Dame Diane Coyle, alongside President of the MacArthur Foundation John Palfrey, Director of the AI Initiative at Howard University School of Law Roy L. Austin, Jr. , cross-bench peer and digital entrepreneur Baroness Martha Lane Fox, academics and authors Sir Lawrence Freedman, Dr Kieron O’Hara and Professor Dame Wendy Hall, former Japanese Foreign Minister KONO Taro, and the Special Envoys for the Paris AI Summit, Anne Bouverot and Martin Tisné. It is edited by AIxGEO’s Policy & Engagement Lead Alex Krook.
An abridged working edition of this anthology was first prepared for the convening of the same title on 13th January 2026, at Jesus College Cambridge.
Anthology: Reimagining the AI Arms Race
News brief: New essay anthology challenges the framing of AI development as a zero-sum arms race between two superpowers
