KOL in English | The New Technological Power Weakens Democracy

Elaine Ford is the founding director of Digital Democracy in Peru and Latin America. She is an international speaker and TEDx presenter, and the author of several books, including The Challenge of Digital Democracy: Towards an Interconnected Citizenship (2019). Follow her on X: @elaforde

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It is time for the Global South to develop its own Artificial Intelligence and not remain subordinate to the great powers.

The optimism of the Internet and its democratizing drive in the service of citizenship is fading.

One of the great attributes it was always credited with was its ability to create symmetry in the exercise of freedoms online, where power was usually decentralized, and populations were able to express and manifest themselves horizontally.

All of this is changing rapidly, at the same pace as technological progress, especially Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Today, power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few: Big Tech or large technology corporations that receive political backing, meaning direct government support through hefty funding and contracts for the development of weapons and military equipment, as well as governmental action plans that promote AI development and avoid regulation.

The recent AI Action Plan by President Donald Trump follows this path, seeking to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers in the AI industry. This is an industry that has quickly aligned itself with the Executive and already concentrates power by controlling data and algorithms—fostering mass surveillance and manipulation of populations, which in turn fuels persecution, disinformation, and the weakening of freedoms.

“The democratizing optimism of the Internet is fading: technological power is concentrating in a few hands.”

This accelerated pace is framed within a global race between the great powers, mainly the United States and China, to develop AI in order to maintain international supremacy.

For more than a decade, I have promoted the benefits of the Internet and new technologies; however, today I fear the future that is beginning to take shape, one that is not precisely democratic, inclusive, or free.

It seems that democracy, already progressively weakened in recent years, will soon become a victim of the powerful new technological ecosystem that is emerging.

A few months ago, I participated in a Global Innovation Summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka, attended by multiple stakeholders from Global South countries. After days of analysis, one of the major conclusions was the urgency of developing their own emerging technologies.

Global South countries must also be capable of creating AI under ethical and transparent standards, reflecting their cultural diversity and national realities. Progress must be made in this direction, rather than simply adopting foreign technology which, while beneficial in the short term, could ultimately bring risks to their populations—from discrimination linked to algorithmic bias to issues of manipulation and surveillance.

“The Global South must develop its own Artificial Intelligence, or it will remain subordinate to the great powers.”

Achieving this will not be easy, but it is imperative to begin by training young people and new generations in robotics, computer science, AI, and STEM careers. Greater innovation and investment in science and research are required.

According to various sources, in developed countries, academic offerings in robotics and AI are well-established and diversified. Through the “Mastersportals” tool, at least 60 master’s programs in robotics were identified in the United States alone.

In Europe, the “Educations” platform shows about 250 programs in robotics and related fields spread across more than 4,000 universities and higher education institutions.

In contrast, in the Global South, specialized degrees are much more limited. In 2024, more than 100 African universities were ranked in computer science fields, according to “EduRank”; however, only a minority offer specific and formal programs in robotics or AI. Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa are showing emerging technological development.

In Latin America, university education in robotics, AI, and computer science is growing, though still limited compared to developed countries.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico already have several programs in training, research, and social innovation. Colombia and Peru are emerging with innovative academic proposals in AI.

“Without technological autonomy, democracy risks becoming a victim of the new digital power.”

There is a clear educational gap in these areas between developed countries and the Global South. The supply of programs is also reflected in the number of students, graduates, and professionals.

Therefore, governments in the Global South must promote public policies aimed at strengthening this, with the support of the private sector, academia, and think tanks: from closing the digital divide so that all people can access connectivity, to fostering skills and competencies in children, youth, teachers, community leaders, and others.

Ideally, this knowledge should begin very early, starting at school age.

In this fast-moving technological era, where the fusion of political and technological power is increasingly evident, Global South countries must shift course. This new scenario, now consolidating, requires them to achieve a degree of autonomy so as not to depend one hundred percent on the great powers nor submit to them. It is also necessary to guarantee freedom, strengthen trust, and promote safe online interaction—essential pillars of free and democratic societies.

#KeyOpinionLeaders is a DPL News space for reflection dedicated to digitally-minded leaders and thinkers who share analysis, opinions, and agenda-setting ideas on technology, regulation, and public policy in Latin America.