Anyone in the tech industry today, witnessing the rapid progress of AI models and AI agents, can hardly sleep. I wonder how the leaders of nations remain oblivious to the next tragedy that is approaching. In the past, during the Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th century), many countries missed the bus of opportunity. This period reshaped the world, creating winners and losers based on who adapted first. It took immense sacrifice for some to catch up—or even attempt to catch up. However, countries that miss the AI revolution this time will be left behind permanently in the race of innovation. They risk becoming mere consumers of AIaaS (AI-as-a-service) platforms, rather than active contributors to the technology.
Advances in multi-agent AI systems, where autonomous agents from different domains collaborate, suggest a future where AI can independently make complex decisions. In such systems, multiple AI agents work together, each specialising in a specific function and passing outputs to the next agent in the chain, enhancing precision and output quality. While this may sound futuristic, the foundational technologies are already being developed and applied in various business contexts. The launch of OpenAI Operator, the first multi-agent system capable of preparing detailed itineraries, is a prime example of this progress. The AI agent autonomously contacts platforms and applications listed in its network—most of which are U.S.-based (such as Expedia, Booking.com, Priceline, Kayak, Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, Hopper, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, Uber, etc.). Within minutes, your entire itinerary is booked.
In this new world order, countries that fail to develop their own AI capabilities risk becoming data colonies. They would provide raw data and resources to AI monopolies while receiving little in return. These AI monopolies, often based in a few dominant nations, would control the algorithms, infrastructure, and intellectual property that underpin the global economy. This would create a stark divide between AI producers (the colonizers) and AI consumers (the colonized), perpetuating inequality and dependency on a scale reminiscent of historical colonialism. Recent initiatives like the Stargate Project, an American artificial intelligence (AI) joint venture created by OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and investment firm MGX, highlight this trend. The venture plans to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure in the United States by 2029.
Consider a scenario where a global tech giant develops an advanced AI-powered agricultural platform. This platform uses satellite imagery, weather data, and soil analysis to provide farmers with precise recommendations on when to plant, irrigate, and harvest crops. On the surface, this seems like a game-changer for food security and productivity. However, the catch is that the platform is owned and controlled by a foreign corporation, and all the data generated by farmers using the platform is stored and processed on servers located in the company’s home country. Moreover, privacy will be a significant concern, as most places around the world are monitored by CCTV, and if multi-agent systems can access this data, people can only imagine the dangers it could bring.
Similarly, AI-driven educational platforms could shape curricula and learning outcomes in ways that align with the values and interests of the controlling entities, potentially eroding local cultures and traditions.
The rapid advancements in AI are not just reshaping industries but redefining the global landscape. Countries should have systems in place to regulate the collaboration of multi-agent AI systems. This is where a multipolar world becomes necessary in AI advancement. My new book addresses this pressing topic : Singularity on the Horizon: The Case for a Multipolar World in the Age of AI and Incompetent Governance.
faznotes.com 
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