THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS GOVERNING CHINA–AFRICA TRADE, AND THE (MIS)ALIGNMENT INTRODUCED BY HIMALAYAN TRADE-ROUTE CHALLENGES

Abstract

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the regulatory and material foundations of international trade, with significant implications for China–Africa economic relations. This article argues that the emerging AI trade nexus can only be understood through the joint analysis of fragmented multi-level governance and contested physical geography. It examines how the dual-use nature of AI—covering hardware, software, and data-driven services—challenges traditional export control regimes and intersects with data governance frameworks amid intensifying US–China technological rivalry and Africa’s pursuit of digital sovereignty. Moving beyond policy-centred approaches, the paper shows how material geography mediates digital trade flows. Using the Himalayan region as an illustrative case, it demonstrates how geopolitical tensions, infrastructure constraints, and logistical bottlenecks indirectly reroute China–Africa AI supply chains, shaping enforcement capacity and vulnerabilities to regulatory circumvention. The article concludes by proposing integrated policy responses emphasizing multilateral cooperation, regulatory harmonisation, and export-control modernisation.

Keywords

• Artificial Intelligence
• China
• Africa
• Himalayan Trade
• Trade Challenge

THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS GOVERNING CHINA–AFRICA TRADE, AND THE (MIS)ALIGNMENT INTRODUCED BY HIMALAYAN TRADE-ROUTE CHALLENGES

Abstract

Yapay zekânın (YZ) hızlı gelişimi, uluslararası ticaretin düzenleyici ve maddi temellerini yeniden şekillendirmekte; bu dönüşüm Çin–Afrika ekonomik ilişkileri açısından önemli sonuçlar doğurmaktadır. Bu makale, ortaya çıkan yapay zekâ ticaret dinamiğinin ancak parçalı çok düzeyli yönetişim yapıları ile tartışmalı fiziki coğrafyanın birlikte analiz edilmesiyle anlaşılabileceğini savunmaktadır. Donanım, yazılım ve veri temelli hizmetleri kapsayan yapay zekânın çift kullanımlı niteliğinin geleneksel ihracat kontrol rejimlerini nasıl zorladığı; bu sürecin, giderek yoğunlaşan ABD–Çin teknolojik rekabeti ve Afrika’nın dijital egemenlik arayışı bağlamında veri yönetişimi çerçeveleriyle nasıl kesiştiği incelenmektedir. Politika merkezli yaklaşımların ötesine geçilerek, fiziki coğrafyanın dijital ticaret akışlarını nasıl aracılık ettiği gösterilmektedir. Himalaya bölgesi örneği üzerinden, jeopolitik gerilimlerin, altyapı kısıtlarının ve lojistik darboğazların Çin–Afrika yapay zekâ tedarik zincirlerini dolaylı biçimde yeniden yönlendirdiği; denetim kapasitesini ve düzenleme aşma risklerini nasıl şekillendirdiği ortaya konulmaktadır. Makale, çok taraflı iş birliğini, düzenleyici uyumu ve ihracat kontrol rejimlerinin modernizasyonunu vurgulayan bütünleşik politika önerileriyle sonuçlanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Yapay Zekâ
• Çin
• Afrika
• Himalaya Ticareti
• Ticaret Zorlukları

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