American AI Colonialism: The Rising Threat of Digital Dominance

A New Kind of Colonialism Emerging Through AI

The dawn of artificial intelligence offers unprecedented opportunities, but it also eerily echoes the darker patterns of historical power struggles. Stanford University’s Mariette Shaki shines a spotlight on a looming menace she calls “American AI colonialism.” Unlike traditional forms of imperialism marked by visible military or economic conquest, this new paradigm takes shape through the covert integration of AI technology as a tool of political pressure and global dominance.

Under the former Trump administration, AI was aggressively poised not merely as a technological advancement but as an instrument to further U.S. geopolitical interests. With mechanisms that threaten to entrench dependencies on American AI systems worldwide, this digital colonialism risks reshaping global power balances without the firing of a single shot.

From Tariffs to Technological Coercion: Lessons from Trade Wars

The trade wars launched by the U.S. government in recent years serve as a blueprint for understanding how economic leverage can be transformed into political coercion. Shaki highlights that the imposition of tariffs and sanctions revealed a deliberate strategy of turning global economic interdependence into a weapon.

Today, the stakes are far higher. As AI technologies become deeply embedded in critical sectors—ranging from infrastructure to security and commerce—the dependencies forged through technology extend beyond material goods. Nations adopting American AI frameworks may find themselves subjected to new forms of control, where access to essential digital resources is a leverage point for influence.

The U.S. AI Strategy: A Blend of Technology and Ideology

More than a mere roadmap for innovation, Shaki casts the American AI policy as an ideological manifesto aimed at cementing technological supremacy. Central to this vision is a push to accelerate AI development and adoption within the U.S. economy while sidelining social justice issues, often caricatured as “woke” politics. This stance minimizes attention to fairness, equity, and transparency—elements crucial for responsible AI governance.

Such a strategy prioritizes economic and political gain above inclusivity and ethical accountability, potentially alienating global partners who seek collaborative and just AI futures.

Opaque AI Systems and Fragile Global Dependencies

One of AI’s stark vulnerabilities is its “black box” characteristic—complex algorithms whose decision-making processes remain inscrutable even to their creators. Shaki warns that this opacity breeds fragile dependencies, especially as AI technologies saturate foundational sectors like defense, public safety, and economic management.

Opaque algorithms are susceptible to manipulation, introducing risks of hidden biases and nefarious influence. Countries relying heavily on these systems relinquish a degree of control, potentially enabling external actors to dictate critical outcomes through unseen mechanisms.

Between Technological Sovereignty and Digital Imperialism

The path forward diverges sharply. According to Shaki, nations worldwide must choose between embracing technological sovereignty—building independent AI ecosystems—or succumbing to digital colonialism. Countries in Europe, Latin America, and Asia are already investing in sovereign AI capabilities to reduce reliance on dominant power blocs.

This global awakening serves as a protective guardrail, reminding stakeholders that today’s economic interdependencies may rapidly convert into tomorrow’s geopolitical bindings.

The Broader Stakes: Democracy and Human Rights at Risk

AI colonialism threatens not just national interests but fundamental human rights and democratic norms. When algorithmic governance is controlled by opaque, hegemonic entities, risks of systemic exclusion, repression, and inequality soar.

Shaki’s findings underscore an urgent need for transparent, inclusive AI governance that upholds justice and human dignity. The global community must act decisively to shape AI as a force for good rather than domination, lest we face a future marred by digital hegemony and diminished freedoms.