Strategic Autonomy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Vijay Kumar Saraswat – Member, NITI Aayog and Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University

In the age of AI, control of borders, military strength, and adequacy of natural resources are not the only parameters for strategic autonomy. It is determined by control over data and algorithms, computing infrastructure like data centers and the human skills to govern complex machine systems.

Introduction

Strategic autonomy traditionally is the ability of a nation to make independent decisions in areas such as security, economy, technology and diplomacy, free from undue external influence. However, in the 21st Century, this concept is being modified by the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has become a foundational layer of national power that has the ability to influence military effectiveness, economic strength, governance capacity and societal resilience.

As a result, strategic autonomy in the age of AI extends beyond traditional priorities such as territorial defence and energy security. It now includes critical issues like data sovereignty, control over algorithms, access to computing infrastructures and the development of skilled human capital.

Why AI Matters for National Power?

AI functions as a general-purpose technology that has strategic implications comparable to those of energy or the internet. Its application extends to intelligence analysis, defence systems, logistics, cyber operations, public administration, finance, and healthcare. Nations that control AI ecosystems gain significant asymmetric advantages, including predictive governance, faster decision-making cycles, enhanced situational awareness, and the ability to scale innovation efficiently.

Unlike conventional military or industrial assets, AI capabilities are cumulative and dependent on the implementation…

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