Abdullah Saher Discusses AI Challenges to State Sovereignty and Strategic Security

Dr. Abdullah Saher, Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at the College of Social Sciences, Kuwait University, participated in the 2026 Global Governance Forum, held in the Xiong’an New Area of the People’s Republic of China from October 23 to 25, at the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Dr. Saher took part in the panel discussion titled “Promoting Comprehensive and Equitable Development of Artificial Intelligence,” presenting a paper that addressed the shift from the concept of digital sovereignty to algorithmic sovereignty, and the new challenges posed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence to state sovereignty, strategic security, and a country’s position in the international system.

The paper examined the transformations occurring in the concept of sovereignty within the digital environment, noting that protecting sovereignty no longer relies solely on controlling data and securing networks and digital infrastructure, but also encompasses the ability to understand, develop, and control the use of algorithms, as well as to comprehend their impact on political, economic, and security decisions.

Linking these transformations to national strategic security, the paper clarified that the growing reliance on algorithmic systems for managing information, analyzing risks, and supporting sensitive decisions presents challenges that extend beyond technical aspects to issues of national security and strategic autonomy. Overreliance on systems and technologies owned or controlled by external parties may limit states’ ability to manage their critical data, increase the vulnerability of their institutions to cyberattacks, information manipulation, and influence over decision-making, and raise the possibility of AI being used in cyber conflicts, disinformation campaigns, and strategic influence operations.

In this context, the paper emphasized the need to adopt an international governance framework for artificial intelligence based on clear and transparent rules and standards that define the scope and limits of its use, and clarify legal and institutional responsibilities for decisions and applications resulting from intelligent systems.

The paper also highlighted the digital divide among countries, given disparities in access to computing power, digital infrastructure, technical expertise, and resources necessary to develop AI systems. This divide affects international power balances, as the monopoly held by a limited number of countries and corporations over advanced technologies, digital platforms, cloud services, and core algorithms can lead to new forms of technological dependency, thereby undermining national decision-making autonomy and states’ capacity to safeguard their strategic security.

The participation of Kuwait University faculty members in high-level international forums and conferences underscores the university’s role in contributing to global debates on strategic issues and contemporary international transformations. These engagements also reflect the institution’s prestigious academic standing, the competence of its faculty, and their scientific and research expertise, which enhance the university’s presence and reputation in international academic and intellectual circles.

The forum takes place in the context of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiative on global governance, which has received praise and appreciation from forum participants for its orientation toward strengthening international cooperation and developing shared mechanisms to address growing global challenges. The initiative is particularly significant for the majority of countries worldwide, especially developing nations, given the need for a more inclusive and balanced international system that provides broader opportunities for diverse countries to participate in shaping international rules and standards, and helps narrow development and technological gaps, including the growing digital divide in the field of artificial intelligence.

The forum, opened by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was attended by approximately 400 representatives from political, strategic, academic, economic, and media circles from more than 90 countries, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations. The event saw the participation of several prominent international figures, including former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, former President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari, former Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova, founder and former Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab, former President of the United Nations General Assembly Vuk Jeremić, as well as former foreign ministers, officials, and experts from international institutions.