India’s Pax Silica alignment reflects geopolitical AI supply chain restructuring amid U.S.-China tech rivalry
Original framing: “Watch: What is Pax Silica?” — The Hindu
Pax Silica mirrors historical tech alliances like the 19th-century telegraph networks, which were controlled by colonial powers. The initiative also echoes Cold War-era tech races, where peripheral nations were co-opted into proxy conflicts. Recognizing these patterns is crucial to avoid repeating the same power imbalances.
Pax Silica is a symptom of deeper systemic issues in global tech governance, where Western powers dictate terms of engagement while marginalizing Global South perspectives.
Historically, such alliances have reinforced colonial power structures, and current AI governance risks repeating these patterns. Indigenous and cross-cultural AI ethics offer alternative frameworks that prioritize community consent and equitable access. To avoid a bifurcated tech world, solutions must include decentralized governance, labor protections, and open-source alternatives. The UN could play a pivotal role in mediating these shifts, ensuring AI serves humanity rather than geopolitical interests.