Mark Carney Warns at Davos: AI Independence is Now a Necessity

Critical Warning from Davos: 'Time to Remove the Sign from the Window'

The 2026 meetings of the World Economic Forum (WEF) witnessed significant statements on the shift in the global order and nations' need for self-determination. In his speech, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared that the 'rules-based international order' has ended and that middle powers have the capacity to build a new order.

The Age of Power Rivalry and Fragility

Carney characterized the present era as the 'age of great power rivalry.' He stated that an environment where the strong can do what they want and the weak must endure is unacceptable. In his speech, he criticized the tendency of countries to conform to the system in the hope of avoiding problems and purchasing security. Carney metaphorically explained this passive stance with the story of a grocer who hangs a sign in his window saying 'Workers of the world, unite!' but does not believe in it. He expressed that the system's power comes from everyone participating in rituals they know are not right, but that this illusion would crack if even a single person 'removed the sign from the window.'

Emphasis on Strategic Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence

Carney said Canada needs to develop greater strategic autonomy in energy, food, critical minerals, finance, and supply chains. In this context, he placed special emphasis on artificial intelligence, stating, 'by cooperating with like-minded democracies, we will ensure that we are not ultimately forced to choose between hegemonies and hyperscalers.' This statement was interpreted as a warning that countries could become dependent on a few giant companies or states dominating this technology if they do not develop their own AI capabilities. A similar debate on technological independence had emerged with the UK's demand for publishers' right to opt-out of Google's AI summaries.

Similar Voices Echoing from Europe

Carney's statements align with similar rising voices within the European Union. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, recently stated in a speech that 'Europe is no longer Washington's primary center of gravity' and used the expression 'no great power in history has survived by outsourcing its survival.' This view represents a quest for autonomy across a broad spectrum, from defense to technology. Public opinion on the matter is clear; the strong public backlash in the UK against the AI copyright plan highlighted the importance of societal consensus in such regulations.

The Intersection of Technology and Security

The global impact of the large technology companies Carney referred to as 'hyperscalers' is being debated not only in economic but also in security dimensions. The platform policies and content management of tech giants are frequent subjects of criticism. For instance, allegations that Google and Apple hosted dozens of 'nudify' apps despite their policies reminded us of the issues of global platforms' compliance with local laws and ethical oversight. Similarly, Google's agreement to settle a lawsuit alleging it recorded private conversations for $68 million increases concerns about data privacy and digital trust. In this context, Carney's warning is seen as part of a broader quest for strategic autonomy that includes digital infrastructure and data sovereignty.

These views expressed in Davos show that the transformation in international relations is evolving into a new, technology and AI-focused dimension. In many areas, from education to defense, the necessity for schools, as in the US, to develop their own AI policies stands out as one of the concrete reflections of this need for autonomy.