Mark Carney Warns at Davos: AI Independence Now a Necessity

Critical Warning from Davos: Technological Independence is Essential

One of the notable speeches at this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos Summit, which brings together leading figures from the world economy and politics, came from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. In his assessment of the global economic and technological order, Carney declared that strengthening countries' strategic autonomy, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), is no longer a choice but a necessity. This statement has reignited debates on national security and economic sovereignty in the digital age.

Risks of Dependence on 'Hyperscale' Technology Giants

In his speech, Carney highlighted the systemic risks created by excessive dependence on 'hyperscale' technology platforms controlled by a few large companies. He emphasized that this dependency creates serious vulnerabilities in countries' digital infrastructure, data security, and capacity to develop future technologies. He stated that the lack of diversity at the source of AI algorithms, cloud computing services, and core software solutions poses a major threat to the health of the global digital economy.

In this context, Carney's warnings are seen as directly linked to national security and economic stability, beyond just a matter of technology policy. Concerns are being raised that entrusting critical infrastructure and decision-making mechanisms to externally sourced AI systems with limited transparency could lead to consequences as severe as a loss of sovereignty.

How Will Strategic Autonomy Be Achieved?

Mark Carney drew attention not only with his diagnosis of the problem but also with his proposed solutions. He outlined the steps countries must take to strengthen their strategic autonomy as follows:

• Strengthening Local Research and Development: Supporting and financing local R&D ecosystems in AI and related technologies through public-private partnerships.
• Diversifying Technology Supply Chains: Reducing reliance on single sources for critical hardware and software components to mitigate geopolitical and economic risks.
• Investing in Digital Infrastructure Sovereignty: Developing and controlling core digital infrastructure, including data centers and secure communication networks.
• Establishing Robust Regulatory Frameworks: Creating clear, forward-looking regulations that govern AI ethics, data privacy, and competition to ensure a level playing field.
• Fostering Homegrown Talent and Innovation: Prioritizing STEM education and creating incentives for startups and innovators to develop sovereign technological solutions.

Carney concluded by stressing that the window for action is narrowing. He urged international cooperation among like-minded nations to build a more resilient, diversified, and democratized technological foundation for the future, arguing that strategic autonomy in AI is fundamental to preserving democratic values and economic self-determination in the 21st century.