Yuval Noah Harari’s latest work, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, raises urgent concerns about the trajectory of AI and information technologies. He argues that these advancements are not just technological but also deeply geopolitical, with the potential to create a fragmented world divided by digital empires, undermining global cooperation on critical issues such as climate change, international security, and democracy itself.

The Rise of Digital Empires

The term “digital empire” refers to the increasing concentration of power in the hands of a few nations or corporations that control vast amounts of data and the algorithms that process it. Harari contends that these digital empires will not only dominate economically but also exert profound influence over global political dynamics. This new form of imperialism doesn’t rely on military force but on the control of information flows. Less technologically advanced countries risk becoming “data colonies,” territories controlled through information rather than arms.

This concentration of power has far-reaching implications. Control over information networks allows digital empires to shape the narratives, economies, and political landscapes of other nations. The potential for global inequalities to deepen is significant, as digital powers like the United States and China reap the majority of benefits from AI and data, while poorer nations fall further behind. This scenario creates a world where cooperation on global challenges becomes increasingly difficult, as the interests of digital empires diverge from those of the rest of the world.

Fragmentation of Global Cooperation

One of the most concerning outcomes of the rise of digital empires is the fragmentation of global unity. Harari warns that as different regions become enclosed in their own information ecosystems, each shaped by distinct digital powers, the concept of a shared global reality could erode. This division is already evident in the digital bifurcation between the Western world and China, with each developing its own internet infrastructure, social media platforms, and AI systems.

Such fragmentation threatens to undermine global cooperation on crucial issues. Climate change, nuclear disarmament, and AI regulation require collective action, but the emergence of digital empires may push nations to prioritise their interests, making it harder to find common ground. The technological arms race between the United States and China, each striving to outpace the other in AI development, is a prime example of how this rivalry could hinder collaboration on global issues.

The Threat to Democracy

Harari’s analysis also highlights the significant threat that digital empires pose to democracy. As AI systems become more sophisticated, they increasingly make decisions that affect millions of lives, from financial transactions to law enforcement and political campaigns. However, these AI systems often function as “black boxes,” making decisions based on algorithms that are not transparent or understandable to the general public, or even to experts.

This opacity can erode trust in democratic institutions. If people believe that their lives are governed by AI systems they cannot understand or influence, they may lose faith in the democratic process. Furthermore, the control that digital empires have over information networks allows them to manipulate public opinion and interfere in the democratic processes of other nations. This raises the possibility of a world where democracy is not just weakened but fundamentally compromised by the technologies meant to enhance it.

Addressing the Challenges

While the challenges posed by digital empires and global fragmentation are formidable, Harari argues that they are not inevitable. He suggests that humanity still has the power to shape the future of AI and information networks, but this requires a concerted effort to develop new forms of global governance capable of managing these technologies for the common good.

One of the primary challenges is to ensure that the development of AI and information technologies is guided by ethical considerations and a commitment to equity. This involves not only regulating the use of AI but also addressing the broader issues of inequality and power that are driving the emergence of digital empires.

Harari also calls for increased international cooperation to prevent the fragmentation of the global digital sphere. Nations must collaborate to create a shared framework for the governance of AI and information networks, one that respects national sovereignty while ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are distributed fairly.

Harari’s Call to Action

Harari’s work serves as a stark reminder that the rise of digital empires, the fragmentation of global unity, and the erosion of democracy are challenges we face now, not in some distant future. To navigate this new world, we must heed Harari’s call to action. This involves working together to ensure that the technologies we create do not end up controlling us, but instead, serve to enhance global cooperation, equity, and democratic governance.

In Nexus, Harari warns that humanity has pushed itself into an existential crisis with its relentless pursuit of power through discoveries, inventions, and conquests. The critical question he poses is whether we will use our newfound power wisely or allow it to divide and destroy us. This is not just a philosophical question; it is a practical one that demands urgent attention from policymakers, technologists, and global citizens alike. The decisions we make today about AI and information technologies will shape the world for generations to come.