The green algorithm: can sustainability define the winner in the AI race?
This article explores whether environmental sustainability may become a strategic axis in the evolving AI rivalry between China and the United States. By comparing ChatGPT and DeepSeek, it examines how ecological efficiency, data sovereignty, and infrastructural autonomy intersect with national AI s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Political Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2025.1629914/full |
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| author | Sebastián Rivero-Silva David Chinarro Vadillo Antonio Prieto-Andres |
| author_facet | Sebastián Rivero-Silva David Chinarro Vadillo Antonio Prieto-Andres |
| author_sort | Sebastián Rivero-Silva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article explores whether environmental sustainability may become a strategic axis in the evolving AI rivalry between China and the United States. By comparing ChatGPT and DeepSeek, it examines how ecological efficiency, data sovereignty, and infrastructural autonomy intersect with national AI strategies. While ChatGPT remain cloud-dependent and resource-intensive, DeepSeek—according to unverified developer data—prioritizes offline deployment and energy-efficient design, aligning with China's pursuit of techno-sovereignty. Still, potential ecological gains may be undermined by online variants or outdated hardware. Also, the literature highlights security risks associated with DeepSeek's distilled models. This analysis, grounded in a case study that is not fully representative but rather illustrative, shows that sustainability is no longer peripheral but increasingly regarded as an important element of geopolitical agendas. Although it remains premature to conclude that it is a decisive axis of technological competition, current evidence suggests a gradual reframing of strategic priorities toward more responsible innovation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6352017ca474463eaf87e9eec79929a6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-3145 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Political Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-6352017ca474463eaf87e9eec79929a62025-08-20T03:12:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Political Science2673-31452025-07-01710.3389/fpos.2025.16299141629914The green algorithm: can sustainability define the winner in the AI race?Sebastián Rivero-Silva0David Chinarro Vadillo1Antonio Prieto-Andres2School of Architecture and Technology, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva del Gállego, SpainSchool of Architecture and Technology, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva del Gállego, SpainFaculty of Communication and Social Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva del Gállego, SpainThis article explores whether environmental sustainability may become a strategic axis in the evolving AI rivalry between China and the United States. By comparing ChatGPT and DeepSeek, it examines how ecological efficiency, data sovereignty, and infrastructural autonomy intersect with national AI strategies. While ChatGPT remain cloud-dependent and resource-intensive, DeepSeek—according to unverified developer data—prioritizes offline deployment and energy-efficient design, aligning with China's pursuit of techno-sovereignty. Still, potential ecological gains may be undermined by online variants or outdated hardware. Also, the literature highlights security risks associated with DeepSeek's distilled models. This analysis, grounded in a case study that is not fully representative but rather illustrative, shows that sustainability is no longer peripheral but increasingly regarded as an important element of geopolitical agendas. Although it remains premature to conclude that it is a decisive axis of technological competition, current evidence suggests a gradual reframing of strategic priorities toward more responsible innovation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2025.1629914/fullAI raceDeepSeekChatGPTsustainabilitydata sovereignty |
| spellingShingle | Sebastián Rivero-Silva David Chinarro Vadillo Antonio Prieto-Andres The green algorithm: can sustainability define the winner in the AI race? Frontiers in Political Science AI race DeepSeek ChatGPT sustainability data sovereignty |
| title | The green algorithm: can sustainability define the winner in the AI race? |
| title_full | The green algorithm: can sustainability define the winner in the AI race? |
| title_fullStr | The green algorithm: can sustainability define the winner in the AI race? |
| title_full_unstemmed | The green algorithm: can sustainability define the winner in the AI race? |
| title_short | The green algorithm: can sustainability define the winner in the AI race? |
| title_sort | green algorithm can sustainability define the winner in the ai race |
| topic | AI race DeepSeek ChatGPT sustainability data sovereignty |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2025.1629914/full |
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