AI, Strategic Competition, and the Future of Power Politics in South Asia (2022 - 2026): A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This study critically examines the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), strategic competition, and evolving power dynamics in South Asia from 2022 to 2026. The rapid advancement of AI technologies has reshaped traditional understandings of power by integrating digital capabilities into military, economic, and political spheres. Regional actors, particularly India and Pakistan, are increasingly investing in AI-driven systems to strengthen national security, enhance economic performance, and achieve technological autonomy. The study argues that AI has intensified strategic rivalry while simultaneously generating new forms of asymmetry and limited cooperation. It highlights how emerging concepts such as technological sovereignty and digital innovation ecosystems are redefining regional geopolitics. Using a critical analytical approach, the research explores AI’s impact on deterrence stability, security dilemmas, and the broader regional order. It concludes that while AI offers significant opportunities, its unchecked development may heighten instability and transform the future of power politics in South Asia.