“AI is transforming the geopolitical system,” says political scientist Ian Bremmer.

Artificial intelligence will have a major impact on both geopolitics and globalization, according to Ian Bremmer, a political scientist and head of the Eurasia Group.

“I think AI represents a transformation of the geopolitical system, both in good ways and in problematic ways,” Bremer told CNBC’s Tanya Breyer on “The CNBC Conversation.”

On the positive side, Bremer said that AI could lead a “new globalization” – at a time when questions abound about the state of globalization and its future. He added that new technology could see the creation and development of a new global middle class fostered.

“Anyone with a smartphone will have access to it,” Bremmer explained, adding that he believes this will increase human capital around the world. He proposed strengthening areas such as medicine and education, while industrial and scientific processes would become more efficient.

“In other words, I’m excited about what this technology will do for the world,” Bremmer said.

However, he also pointed out the risks of negative disruption, and warned that the world is not yet ready for that. For example, a person can use AI to write code, but it can also be used to hack systems or create malware, Bremmer noted. Likewise, it could be used to develop vaccines – but also viruses, he added.

“This means that the governance that will occur must not only be limited to governments, but also to technology companies,” Bremer said. “We are not ready for that, but this is the reality.”

Bremer told CNBC that global leaders and policymakers may not be ready yet, but they are catching up.

“A year ago, I can’t remember a single conversation I had with a global leader, anywhere in the world, where they were asking about AI — where they were fundamentally concerned about the effects of AI on their political systems, on the entire world.” The Global Economy for Security The nationalist.

“Today, I can hardly think of a single world leader who does not ask me about it.”

Bremer explained that this includes countries around the world such as China, the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as international organizations such as the European Union and the G7. He added that while learning about artificial intelligence, they evaluate what they do and don’t know, as well as the role that technology companies play.

Since the AI ​​boom began at the end of 2022, countries have been racing to understand and regulate the technology. It has proven to be a major challenge for lawmakers because of the incredibly rapid growth of artificial intelligence in the public sphere, and the diverse challenges it can bring — from job security to national security.

In June, EU lawmakers passed regulations requiring new AI tools, such as chatbots, to be reviewed before they are released to the wider population, and banning elements of the technology such as real-time facial recognition.

Elsewhere, China announced rules for generative AI services like OpenAI’s viral ChatGPT in July, indicating that licenses may be required before such AI tools are made available to the public.

But in order to properly regulate AI, a greater understanding of it must be created, Bremer told CNBC.

“You can’t govern it until you know what it is,” he said.

“We need a UN-led process, an intergovernmental panel on AI, with governments, scientists and companies coming together to understand the basic case for what AI can do, who are the key players, what are the opportunities? What are the risks.”

For Bremer, it is important that states and other actors work together in this area, rather than compete with each other.

He added: “It is not like nuclear weapons, where some countries possess them and prevent everyone from obtaining them.” Instead, the decentralized and open-source nature of AI means that anyone will be able to access the latest developments and use them for good or ill.

Global oversight is therefore key, Bremer said, and suggested the creation of a “Geotechnology Stabilization Board” as one possible solution. This would see countries and technology companies work together “to try to make sure that we don’t regulate people out of existence, but that we have the ability to respond to ensure that the AI ​​market globally continues to function.”

“It cannot be a confrontation between the United States and China,” Bremer concluded.

Some countries have already indicated that they would be open to cooperating on AI regulation, or at least engaging with their peers on the topic. For example, senior French politicians have said they will work with the United States on technology-related laws.