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Trump's AI Action Plan Sparks Global South Concerns

The plan's deregulation and US-controlled tech approach could deepen joblessness and climate exposure in the Global South. But some countries are fighting back.

There is a poster in which there is a robot, there are animated persons who are operating the...
There is a poster in which there is a robot, there are animated persons who are operating the robot, there are artificial birds flying in the air, there are planets, there is ground, there are stars in the sky, there is watermark, there are numbers and texts.

Trump's AI Action Plan Sparks Global South Concerns

The Trump administration's AI Action Plan has sparked concerns about its potential impact on the Global South. While aiming to consolidate US leadership in artificial intelligence, the plan raises issues regarding job displacement, climate vulnerabilities, and economic inequality.

The AI Action Plan focuses on deregulation and exporting a US-controlled 'AI technology stack'. This approach could deepen joblessness in the Global South, as AI has the potential to replace human decision-making and functions. More than 90% of climate-related casualties in the past half-century have occurred in these regions, making them particularly vulnerable to the huge infrastructure needs of AI, such as water-intensive data centers. Deregulation could exacerbate this exposure.

The plan also aims to block China from offering alternative AI sources, limiting the choices of Global South countries. This could reinforce their structural dependency and ignore their specific needs, potentially exacerbating economic inequality. Meanwhile, the labor share of global GDP has been declining due to automation and AI, with regions having weak labor laws feeling the impact more.

In contrast, some Global South governments, like Vietnam, are fostering digital independence. They are investing in strategic sectors like semiconductors and AI, promoting public-private cooperation, and increasing capabilities in AI and digital transformation. This approach could help these countries compete with US and Chinese technological leadership.

The AI Action Plan's focus on deregulation and US-controlled technology could have significant implications for the Global South. It may deepen joblessness, climate vulnerabilities, and economic inequality. However, governments in the region are taking steps to build digital independence and adapt to the AI era. The success of these efforts will depend on their ability to navigate the complex landscape shaped by the US and other global powers.

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