The Global Diffusion of AI Technologies and Its Political Drivers

How do advanced technologies like AI cross geopolitical boundaries? Drawing on a new dataset linking international trade and patent filings, this talk examines how exports of data-processing machines shape the global spread of AI. It shows that U.S. allies differ markedly in how they trade with geopolitical rivals—and that these differences strongly predict where new AI innovations emerge. To explain this pattern, Dr. Park introduces a framework that highlights how gaps between geopolitical alignment and trade preferences among allies shape the diffusion of AI. He finds that geography and comparative advantage create competing economic interests among allies, driving trade beyond security coalitions. 

Sojun Park is a postdoctoral associate at the MIT Center for International Studies. His research examines the politics of science, technology, and global governance, with particular attention to intellectual property rights and international trade. Dr. Park's work has been published in Review of International Organizations, Review of International Political Economy, and Public Choice. He received a B.A. (with honors) from Korea University and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from Princeton University as a Fulbright Scholar. He was also a predoctoral fellow with the Global Political Economy Project at Georgetown University.

This seminar will be held in the Pye Room (E40-496). Lunch will be available. Please RSVP here.

Contact Kate Danahy at kdanahy@mit.edu with any questions. 

This event is part of the CIS Global Research & Policy Seminar Series. Join our mailing list here to learn about upcoming seminars in the series.