Sovereign AI: How AI influences geopolitics as driver of national security, social issue solutions

Every week The Money Show interviews the author or reviewer of a new or trending business book.

This week Stephen Grootes talked to author and AI expert Mark Nasila, chief data and analytics officer at FNB Risk.

Nasila's latest book is titled Mastering Sovereign Artificial Intelligence: Owning and Shaping the Future in the Age of AI.

As hashtag #AI accelerates global transformation, he says, the question is no longer whether we should adopt AI but how we develop and deploy it responsibly - aligned with our values, priorities, and hashtag #sovereignty.

Hence Mastering Sovereign Artificial Intelligence is a strategic guide for nations, businesses, and innovators committed to owning their digital future.

Nasila describes the concept of Sovereign AI as being about the ability of a nation or an organisation to control the AI development value chain.

"For a long time, especially over the last three years, we've been talking about AI to drive efficiency, to help come up with innovations and drive digitisation... But if you look at what's been happening, the impact of AI goes beyond just those benefits."

"AI is infuencing geopolitics. It's a big driver of national security; but it's also driving the ability to solve social problems, to create new industries in manufacturing, building infrastructure... In fact it is reimagining the future of economies."

"Because of all these benefits, we're now looking at AI as a national strategic driver."

And, because of this, nations want to control the whole value chain because just the output from AI will drive these benefits but the future of nations and organisations depend on controlling the whole develpment value chain of AI. That's what AI sovereignty is all about.

"

"This work isn’t just theoretical - it’s a call to act boldly, shape national policies, and create inclusive hashtag#AI strategies that uplift communities and protect our sovereignty in an interconnected world."

Mark Nasila, Author - 'Mastering Sovereign Artificial Intelligence'

ALSO READ:

• AI's impact on jobs: 'We must think of what humans are good at that machines can't do, not other way around'
• Africa’s AI moment: We're not catching up but reframing AI, says Arthur Goldstuck in new book

Description on Amazon:

In this groundbreaking and thought-provoking book, AI expert, researcher, and speaker Dr Mark Nasila explores what sovereign AI really means, how it differs from other AI models, and why understanding it is essential for the future.

He outlines the shifting geopolitical landscape of AI and the emerging trends shaping international competition, delving into how AI intersects with national security, the economy, and global power.

Data and AI sovereignty demand that countries develop skilled AI workforces, establish AI factories, and embed governance and ethics from the very start of any AI strategy.

With insights from leading global experts, this handbook is essential reading for anyone who's interested in AI – from individuals and business leaders to policymakers and parents concerned about the future of work.

AI is the defining asset of our age and how we choose to own and govern it will shape the destiny of nations – and our place in the world.

Contributing authors are Somil Gupta, Prof Benjamin Rosman, Isazi Consulting, Dr Tapiwa Chiwewe, Aaron Frank, Atenkosi Ngubevana, Amb. Dr Lavina Ramkissoon and Mic Mann.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation with Mark Nasila