The sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance: digital federalism and global algorithmic control

Abstract This study examines the sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance, which encapsulates the tension between state control over algorithmic systems and the necessity of transnational collaboration to regulate borderless technologies. AI systems simultaneously reinforce national sov...

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Main Author: Artur Ishkhanyan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Artificial Intelligence
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-025-00374-x
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author Artur Ishkhanyan
author_facet Artur Ishkhanyan
author_sort Artur Ishkhanyan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study examines the sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance, which encapsulates the tension between state control over algorithmic systems and the necessity of transnational collaboration to regulate borderless technologies. AI systems simultaneously reinforce national sovereignty while demanding global cooperation, posing a fundamental challenge to governance frameworks. Through a comparative analysis of the European Union’s AI Act and China’s Social Credit System, this research explores how AI governance can either enable state authority or necessitate transnational coordination. The EU’s risk-based regulatory model demonstrates a supranational approach balancing innovation with ethical oversight, while China’s centralized AI-driven governance exemplifies state-centric control through algorithmic surveillance. To address these tensions, the study introduces Digital Federalism, a governance model that integrates subsidiarity and multi-tiered sovereignty, enabling regulatory coordination across local, national, and global levels. Unlike polycentric governance, which emphasizes decentralization, Digital Federalism retains hierarchical coordination while allowing for adaptive, context-sensitive governance. By bridging classical sovereignty theories with contemporary digital governance debates, this paper argues that reconciling national sovereignty and transnational cooperation requires adaptive frameworks prioritizing transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. The findings illuminate the interplay between state power and global governance, providing insights for policymakers navigating AI governance frameworks in an interconnected world.
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spelling doaj-art-c882afb773d74cfda37a36d8c4d1a7cd2025-08-20T03:27:09ZengSpringerDiscover Artificial Intelligence2731-08092025-06-015111410.1007/s44163-025-00374-xThe sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance: digital federalism and global algorithmic controlArtur Ishkhanyan0National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of ArmeniaAbstract This study examines the sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance, which encapsulates the tension between state control over algorithmic systems and the necessity of transnational collaboration to regulate borderless technologies. AI systems simultaneously reinforce national sovereignty while demanding global cooperation, posing a fundamental challenge to governance frameworks. Through a comparative analysis of the European Union’s AI Act and China’s Social Credit System, this research explores how AI governance can either enable state authority or necessitate transnational coordination. The EU’s risk-based regulatory model demonstrates a supranational approach balancing innovation with ethical oversight, while China’s centralized AI-driven governance exemplifies state-centric control through algorithmic surveillance. To address these tensions, the study introduces Digital Federalism, a governance model that integrates subsidiarity and multi-tiered sovereignty, enabling regulatory coordination across local, national, and global levels. Unlike polycentric governance, which emphasizes decentralization, Digital Federalism retains hierarchical coordination while allowing for adaptive, context-sensitive governance. By bridging classical sovereignty theories with contemporary digital governance debates, this paper argues that reconciling national sovereignty and transnational cooperation requires adaptive frameworks prioritizing transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. The findings illuminate the interplay between state power and global governance, providing insights for policymakers navigating AI governance frameworks in an interconnected world.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-025-00374-xAI governanceSovereignty-internationalism paradoxDigital FederalismGlobal algorithmic controlTransnational cooperationAlgorithmic accountability
spellingShingle Artur Ishkhanyan
The sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance: digital federalism and global algorithmic control
Discover Artificial Intelligence
AI governance
Sovereignty-internationalism paradox
Digital Federalism
Global algorithmic control
Transnational cooperation
Algorithmic accountability
title The sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance: digital federalism and global algorithmic control
title_full The sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance: digital federalism and global algorithmic control
title_fullStr The sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance: digital federalism and global algorithmic control
title_full_unstemmed The sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance: digital federalism and global algorithmic control
title_short The sovereignty-internationalism paradox in AI governance: digital federalism and global algorithmic control
title_sort sovereignty internationalism paradox in ai governance digital federalism and global algorithmic control
topic AI governance
Sovereignty-internationalism paradox
Digital Federalism
Global algorithmic control
Transnational cooperation
Algorithmic accountability
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-025-00374-x
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