Geopolitics in the digital age: the U.S.-China competition through their narratives on digital technologies

Abstract

The intensifying technological competition between the United States and China is reshaping global power dynamics, deepening the digital divide, and complicating efforts to address shared global challenges. Adopting a neoclassical geopolitics approach –recognizing the interplay of material capabilities and ideational factors –, this article examines how geopolitical narratives regarding digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), reflect and shape this competition. It proposes three heuristic “geopolitical narratives” grounded in international relations theories: a “closed world” narrative (realism), emphasizing security and sovereignty; an “open world” narrative (liberalism), focusing on cooperation and multilateral governance; and a “world of injustices” narrative (critical theories), highlighting global inequalities and digital divides. Through a qualitative content analysis of political speeches by Joe Biden and Xi Jinping (2018-2023), the study reveals how these leaders strategically deploy narratives to justify policies, promote interests, and influence global AI discourses. The findings underscore the bidirectional nature of narratives, which both reflect and shape strategic objectives and policy decisions. This article contributes to understanding how narratives influence global AI governance, highlighting their role in shaping international alliances and technological norms amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.