Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontline for Chinese Influence
AI strategic influence is rapidly becoming a defining concern for global security and sovereignty, particularly as China leverages advanced artificial intelligence to extend its reach. In this analysis, Raffaele Volpi—former Italian Undersecretary of Defence—explores how AI has transformed from a mere enabling technology into a powerful gateway for strategic influence. The focus is on how Europe must rethink its technological choices, which are now inseparable from national security.
Subtle Pathways of Influence: Beyond Visible Agreements
The participation of high-level officials, such as Italy’s Director General of AgID at major AI conferences in China, may seem minor. However, these actions highlight a significant disconnect between Europe’s stated geopolitical alignment and the daily decisions made by public bodies, companies, and research centers. While the Italian government publicly aligns with Euro-Atlantic interests, operational choices often ignore the national security implications of technology adoption. No longer are these decisions isolated from security concerns; every adoption of new AI models or cloud services can create long-term dependencies.
Previously, international agreements like the 2019 Memorandum between Italy and China were visible and subject to public and political scrutiny. Modern AI strategic influence enters through less visible means—industrial partnerships, academic agreements, or affordable AI solutions. These choices accumulate quietly, gradually increasing reliance on external providers, particularly those from China. By the time governments recognize the risk, unwinding these dependencies is often costly and complex.
Fragmentation and the Risk of Dependency
China does not need dramatic, headline-grabbing alliances to achieve its objectives. Instead, it benefits from a fragmented landscape where European organizations make isolated decisions—choosing a cheaper AI tool here or a new research collaboration there—without considering the broader implications. Over time, this piecemeal approach can amount to significant AI strategic influence for Beijing. The real challenge is recognizing these vulnerabilities before they crystallize into long-term strategic dependencies.
AI as an Information Gatekeeper
Unlike traditional infrastructure, AI is not just a tool—it is becoming the primary medium through which people access, interpret, and respond to information. Whereas social media platforms have identifiable sources behind content, AI systems present themselves as neutral or objective. This illusion of neutrality is dangerous. Every AI model reflects the data it was trained on and the biases of its creators. Even without explicit propaganda, the subtle shaping of information—emphasizing some facts while downplaying others—gives those who control the models unprecedented power to influence public opinion.
This “cognitive backdoor” is not unique to Chinese AI. American models, too, shape European information environments, but they are at least subject to democratic oversight and legal accountability. Chinese systems, operating within an authoritarian framework, lack such checks. The key issue is not technical neutrality, which no AI truly has, but whether there are robust legal and institutional mechanisms to contest and scrutinize these systems.
Europe’s Dilemma: Autonomy vs. Dependency
Europe faces a dual challenge. On one hand, reliance on American AI infrastructure exposes the continent to decisions made abroad, potentially at odds with European interests. On the other, Chinese AI strategic influence grows through subtle, persistent engagement. The solution is not to seek balance between the two superpowers, which would be strategically naïve, but to develop autonomous capabilities that give Europe real choices in partnership and cooperation.
To address this, Volpi recommends two key actions:
- Stronger Procedures: Public institutions involved in strategic sectors need clear rules for international cooperation, ensuring alignment with national security. Companies must develop comprehensive risk assessment tools, and universities need guidelines to distinguish legitimate research from knowledge transfer that could undermine sovereignty.
- Building Capabilities: Limiting risk cannot rely solely on prohibitions. Europe must invest in its own computing power, cloud services, semiconductors, large language models, and cybersecurity. Only by strengthening its industrial ecosystem can Europe reduce dependency and maintain freedom of action.
Strategic Sovereignty in the Age of AI
Complete decoupling from China is neither realistic nor necessary. Economic exchange will continue, but Europe must learn to distinguish standard trade from activities that create strategic vulnerabilities or enable informational manipulation. The crucial question is whether European leaders can spot emerging risks before they solidify into dependencies. In the era of AI strategic influence, sovereignty extends beyond physical infrastructure to encompass the freedom with which societies form their own beliefs and judgments.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.