AI Governance Initiative Book Talk: ‘Technology and the Rise of Great Powers’ with Jeffrey Ding

November 26, 2024
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Lecture Theatre, Oxford Martin School

34 Broad Street (corner of Holywell and Catte Streets), Oxford, OX1 3BD

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When scholars and policymakers consider how technological advances affect the rise and fall of great powers, they draw on theories that centre the moment of innovation – the eureka moment that sparks astonishing technological feats.

In his new book, Jeffrey Ding offers a different explanation of how technological revolutions affect competition among great powers. Rather than focusing on which state first introduced major innovations, he investigates the ability of states to successfully adapt and spread these technologies across their economies.

Drawing on historical case studies of past industrial revolutions as well as statistical analysis, Ding demonstrates how institutional adaptations oriented around diffusing technology play a crucial role in shaping global competition. His findings bear directly on current concerns about how emerging technologies such as AI could influence the US-China power balance.

Following his presentation, Ding will be joined by Robert Trager, Co-Director of the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative, Ben Garfinkel, Director of the Centre for the Governance of AI and Kayla Blomquist, Director of the Oxford China Policy Lab for a panel discussion before Q&A

This event is organised by the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative.

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