瞭望 | 美对华科技封堵落子中东

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. aims to establish a dominant position in the AI sector by creating a cooperative ecosystem with trusted partners, particularly in the Middle East, to ensure technological dependence and control over AI infrastructure and standards [1][5][10]. Group 1: U.S. AI Strategy - The U.S. AI strategy has shifted from export restrictions to targeted diffusion, focusing on building a "center-periphery" model where high-end AI capabilities remain in the U.S. while downstream operations are moved to allied nations [1][5]. - The U.S. seeks to integrate Middle Eastern countries into a dollar-based AI ecosystem, aiming to replicate the capital circulation mechanisms of the oil dollar era through AI and stablecoin initiatives [1][7]. Group 2: AI Infrastructure Investments - The Trump administration plans to invest $500 billion in the "Stargate" project to build the largest AI infrastructure, with a focus on Middle Eastern countries rich in energy resources [2][6]. - Significant investments are being made in the Middle East, including $20 billion from Saudi Arabia into U.S. AI startups and $14 billion from the UAE into semiconductor and technology sectors [8][9]. Group 3: Export Control and Regulation - The U.S. has categorized countries into three tiers for AI chip export controls, with first-tier countries receiving unlimited access while second-tier countries face performance limits [4]. - The U.S. is implementing strict regulations to prevent technology leakage, requiring local operations to maintain control over sensitive technologies [13][12]. Group 4: Geopolitical Implications - The U.S. views the Middle East as a strategic front in the tech competition against rivals, aiming to prevent other nations from gaining technological footholds in the region [10][14]. - The U.S. is fostering a "digital containment" strategy to integrate Middle Eastern countries into its technological ecosystem while limiting Chinese influence [12][16]. Group 5: Gulf States' Response - Gulf countries are pursuing a "hedging" strategy to balance reliance on U.S. technology with the desire for digital sovereignty, seeking to control their own data and infrastructure [15][16]. - There is a growing inclination among Gulf states to collaborate with China, which respects their digital sovereignty, while still engaging with U.S. technology in the AI sector [15][16].