Eight ways AI could shape geopolitics in 2026

The Atlantic Council argues that 2025 made clear that artificial intelligence is no longer a distant geopolitical issue. The question for 2026 is how quickly AI will reshape global power and what costs will come with that shift.

The article frames AI competition between the United States and China as a central force, with both countries racing to build models, data centers, energy infrastructure, and policy influence. AI is described as a factor that could affect diplomacy, security, economic competition, and national sovereignty.

The analysis also points to broader global consequences, including uneven access to computing power, new governance debates, and pressure on governments to balance innovation with safety and strategic control.

Source: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/eight-ways-ai-will-shape-geopolitics-in-2026/