Great-Power AI Competition Challenges ASEAN’s Strategic Neutrality

For decades, Southeast Asia has skillfully leveraged great-power competition to its economic advantage. By fostering robust relationships with both Washington and Beijing, ASEAN nations have successfully attracted foreign investment, expanded trade partnerships, and maintained vital diplomatic flexibility. However, the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China in the realm of artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering this strategic landscape. As these two powers construct competing technological ecosystems and establish parallel infrastructure networks, the traditional policy of neutrality that has served ASEAN so well may no longer provide the same strategic benefits. The emerging AI divide presents new challenges that could force regional nations to make difficult choices about their technological alignments and long-term economic partnerships.

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