Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence and Great Power Rivalry: The Conflict Between Market Logic and Security Logic
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Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence and Great Power Rivalry: The Conflict Between Market Logic and Security Logic

Aiyu Yang 1*
1 Durham University
*Corresponding author: frjr72@durham.ac.uk
Published on 19 November 2025
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LNEP Vol.119
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-545-5
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-546-2
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Abstract

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy, security, and governance, with the United States and China holding dominant positions. Their rivalry reflects the conflict between market logic, emphasizing efficiency and innovation, and security logic, prioritizing risk management and strategic control. Both powers exercise strong normative influence in multilateral platforms, yet domestic incorporation of norms remains limited. Market rationality accelerates diffusion of technologies such as Large Language Models but aggravates risks of inequality, whereas security rationality mitigates threats but constrains cooperation. Divergences appear in domains including quantum AI, data governance, and military–civil fusion, where strategic confrontation delays regulatory adaptation. Balanced and inclusive frameworks are required for effective global governance, as highlighted by initiatives such as the Bletchley Declaration, with institutions like the United Nations serving a bridging role. Progress depends on cultivating reciprocal trust, avoiding zero-sum dynamics, and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes in AI governance. The persistence of these tensions illustrates the structural challenges inherent in aligning technological development with coherent global regulatory mechanisms.

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, US–China rivalry, market logic, security logic, global governance

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Yang,A. (2025). Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence and Great Power Rivalry: The Conflict Between Market Logic and Security Logic. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,119,1-6.

References

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[9]. Creemers, R. (2021). China’s Emerging Data Protection Framework. SSRN. https: //ssrn.com/abstract=3964684

[10]. Mokry, S. and Gurol, J. (2024) Competing Ambitions regarding the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence: China, the US, and the EU. Global Policy, 15(5), 955–968. https: //doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.13444

[11]. Autor, D., Dorn, D., Katz, L. F., Patterson, C. and Van Reenen, J. (2020) The Fall of the Labor Share and the Rise of Superstar Firms. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 135(2), 645–709.

[12]. CB Insights. (2024) State of AI Report. Retrieved from https: //www.cbinsights.com/research/report/ai-trends-2024/

[13]. Zuboff, S. (2019) The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power. New York: PublicAffairs.

[14]. Stango, A. (2024) The Geopolitical Competition Between China and the U.S. in New Technologies. Luiss School of Government Working Paper Series, SOG-WP12/2024. Retrieved from https: //sog.luiss.it/sites/sog.luiss.it/files/stango%20AS%20REV%20The%20geopolitical%20competition%20between%20China%20and%20the%20U.S.%20in%20new%20technologies.pdf

[15]. Anderljung, M., Bengtsson, R., Beard, S., Belfield, H., Dafoe, A., Dreksler, N., McCauley, C., Trager, E. and Zhang, B. (2024) US–China Perspectives on Extreme AI Risks and Global Governance. arXiv. Retrieved from https: //arxiv.org/abs/2407.16903

[16]. Bostrom, N. (2014) Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.

[17]. Whittaker, M., Crawford, K., Dobbe, R., Fried, G., Kaziunas, E., Mathur, V., West, S., Richardson, R. and Schultz, J. (2018) AI Now Report 2018. AI Now Institute. Retrieved from https: //ainowinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AI_Now_2018_Report.pdf

[18]. Bradford, A. (2020) The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World. Oxford University Press.

[19]. Government of the United Kingdom. (2023) The Bletchley Declaration by Countries Attending the AI Safety Summit, 1-2 November 2023. Retrieved from https: //www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-safety-summit-2023-the-bletchley-declaration/the-bletchley-declaration-by-countries-attending-the-ai-safety-summit-1-2-november-2023

References

[1]. Statista (2024). Outlook for Artificial Intelligence worldwide. Retrieved from https: //www.statista.com/outlook/tmo/artificial-intelligence/worldwide

[2]. Sullivan, R. (2021). The U.S., China, and Artificial Intelligence Competition Factors. China Aerospace Studies Institute.

[3]. Imbrie, A., Kania, E. B., & Laskai, L. (2020, January). The Question of Comparative Advantage in Artificial Intelligence: Enduring Strengths and Emerging Challenges for the United States. Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

[4]. D Heeks, R., & He, Y. (2024). Analysing the US–China “AI Cold War” Narrative. Centre for Digital Development Working Paper No.110, University of Manchester. Retrieved from https: //www.researchgate.net/publication/385206168_Analysing_the_US-China_AI_Cold_War_Narrative

[5]. Cheng, J., & Zeng, J. (2023). Shaping AI’s future? China in global AI governance. Journal of Contemporary China, 32(143), 794–810.

[6]. U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. (2024). Annual Report to Congress. https: //www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/2024_Annual_Report_to_Congress.pdf

[7]. Brynjolfsson, E., Rock, D., & Syverson, C. (2017). Artificial Intelligence and the Modern Productivity Paradox: A Clash of Expectations and Statistics. NBER Working Paper No. 24001. https: //www.nber.org/papers/w24001

[8]. Kania, E. B. (2017). Battlefield Singularity: Artificial Intelligence, Military Revolution, and China’s Future Military Power. Center for a New American Security. https: //www.cnas.org/publications/reports/battlefield-singularity-artificial-intelligence-military-revolution-and-chinas-future-military-power

[9]. Creemers, R. (2021). China’s Emerging Data Protection Framework. SSRN. https: //ssrn.com/abstract=3964684

[10]. Mokry, S. and Gurol, J. (2024) Competing Ambitions regarding the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence: China, the US, and the EU. Global Policy, 15(5), 955–968. https: //doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.13444

[11]. Autor, D., Dorn, D., Katz, L. F., Patterson, C. and Van Reenen, J. (2020) The Fall of the Labor Share and the Rise of Superstar Firms. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 135(2), 645–709.

[12]. CB Insights. (2024) State of AI Report. Retrieved from https: //www.cbinsights.com/research/report/ai-trends-2024/

[13]. Zuboff, S. (2019) The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power. New York: PublicAffairs.

[14]. Stango, A. (2024) The Geopolitical Competition Between China and the U.S. in New Technologies. Luiss School of Government Working Paper Series, SOG-WP12/2024. Retrieved from https: //sog.luiss.it/sites/sog.luiss.it/files/stango%20AS%20REV%20The%20geopolitical%20competition%20between%20China%20and%20the%20U.S.%20in%20new%20technologies.pdf

[15]. Anderljung, M., Bengtsson, R., Beard, S., Belfield, H., Dafoe, A., Dreksler, N., McCauley, C., Trager, E. and Zhang, B. (2024) US–China Perspectives on Extreme AI Risks and Global Governance. arXiv. Retrieved from https: //arxiv.org/abs/2407.16903

[16]. Bostrom, N. (2014) Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.

[17]. Whittaker, M., Crawford, K., Dobbe, R., Fried, G., Kaziunas, E., Mathur, V., West, S., Richardson, R. and Schultz, J. (2018) AI Now Report 2018. AI Now Institute. Retrieved from https: //ainowinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AI_Now_2018_Report.pdf

[18]. Bradford, A. (2020) The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World. Oxford University Press.

[19]. Government of the United Kingdom. (2023) The Bletchley Declaration by Countries Attending the AI Safety Summit, 1-2 November 2023. Retrieved from https: //www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-safety-summit-2023-the-bletchley-declaration/the-bletchley-declaration-by-countries-attending-the-ai-safety-summit-1-2-november-2023

Cite this article

Yang,A. (2025). Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence and Great Power Rivalry: The Conflict Between Market Logic and Security Logic. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,119,1-6.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Volume title: Proceedings of ICILLP 2025 Symposium: Property Law and Blockchain Applications in International Law and Legal Policy

ISBN: 978-1-80590-545-5(Print) / 978-1-80590-546-2(Online)
Editor: Renuka Thakore
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Conference date: 19 November 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.119
ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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