Alex Capri In Print - Articles
DeepSeek - how a Chinese AI company just changed the rules of tech-geopolitics
In a move that could reshape the global AI race, Chinese startup DeepSeek has unveiled a powerful large language model (LLM) said to rival ChatGPT — and it may have done so without relying on high-end Nvidia chips. Instead, DeepSeek leveraged open-source AI and a cost-effective fine-tuning process to build its model, signalling a potential shift in the balance of technological power.
Beyond the technology, the implications are profound. DeepSeek’s success challenges long-held assumptions about the AI-semiconductor nexus and could weaken the strategic grip of US-led tech controls. As the world divides into three geopolitical tech blocs, DeepSeek’s emergence offers new pathways for middle-tier nations and threatens to upend existing power dynamics in the ongoing US–China chip war.
Read the full analysis to explore what DeepSeek means for AI, national security, and the future of global tech leadership.
Is China-Decoupling A Myth?
Despite rising geopolitical tensions, U.S.–China trade and investment hit record highs in 2022, revealing a paradox: while strategic tech sectors like semiconductors and AI are rapidly decoupling, broader commercial ties remain strong. Wall Street continues to invest heavily, but much of this activity falls into a grey zone of dual-use technologies, increasingly vulnerable to U.S. export controls. As techno-nationalist competition escalates, more American firms may face disruptions in China. New outbound investment rules and sanctions could deepen financial and tech sector decoupling. The illusion of economic interdependence is fading, and a broader U.S.–China decoupling appears inevitable.
The time is right for an Australian semiconductor moonshot
Australia is well-positioned to launch its own national semiconductor fabrication initiative, focusing on legacy chip technologies with lower barriers to entry. Leveraging its research institutions, skilled workforce, and strategic ties to the US and its allies, Australia could integrate into global semiconductor supply chains. Recent global shifts — including stricter US export controls on China, over US$200 billion in semiconductor investment through CHIPS Acts, and proposed AUKUS-related trade regulation reforms, all create new opportunities. By aligning national security, diplomacy, and economic policy, Australia can play a meaningful role in the global chip race and strengthen its technological sovereignty.
A Semiconductor Renaissance Is Under Way. It Will Change the World.
The article examines the pivotal role of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in the global semiconductor industry and its geopolitical implications. As the world's leading chipmaker, TSMC's dominance underscores Taiwan's strategic importance, especially amid U.S.-China tensions. The piece highlights the challenges of over-reliance on a single region for critical technology and discusses efforts by the U.S. and allies to diversify semiconductor manufacturing. It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to globalization, where supply chain resilience and geopolitical stability are prioritized alongside economic efficiency.
Australia’s semiconductor moonshot
Australia's reliance on foreign-controlled semiconductor technology poses significant economic and national security risks, especially amid global supply-chain disruptions. To address this vulnerability, a report by ASPI proposes a 'semiconductor moonshot'—a strategic initiative to develop domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The plan advocates for public–private partnerships, leveraging existing R&D infrastructure like the Australian National Fabrication Facility, and investing in talent and innovation. A proposed $1.5 billion government investment could catalyze $5 billion in manufacturing activity. By integrating into trusted global value chains and focusing on areas aligned with national strengths, Australia aims to secure its technological future and reduce dependence on volatile international markets.
Wall Street’s Love Affair With China Is Headed For Trouble
Despite rising geopolitical tensions, Wall Street firms continue to invest heavily in China, with nearly $78 billion poured in during 2020 alone. Major players like BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan are seizing new opportunities after China eased foreign ownership rules. However, this expansion comes with major risks. Beijing is asserting stronger state control over its markets, while Washington increases sanctions and compliance demands. The lack of transparency in China’s corporate landscape complicates due diligence and exposes firms to penalties. Critics warn that Wall Street may be funding authoritarianism, creating a growing conflict between profit motives and national security concerns.
How China’s Digital Currency Could Fracture Global Finance
The rise of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) is accelerating the financial decoupling between the U.S. and China. China’s e-yuan is central to its geopolitical strategy and aims to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and systems like SWIFT. Unlike private cryptocurrencies, CBDCs are state-backed, enabling financial inclusion and reducing illicit finance. However, they also enable government surveillance, raising concerns in democratic nations. As China pushes its digital currency through major tech firms, foreign companies face growing risks of sanctions. This ideological and economic divide is fracturing the global financial system into competing blocs, with far-reaching implications for global fintech.
How COVID-19 vaccines are being weaponised as countries jostle for influence
As the world raced to contain COVID-19, vaccines quickly became more than just a public health tool—they became instruments of geopolitical power. This blog highlights how countries like China, the United States, and Russia used vaccine distribution to strengthen global alliances and assert influence.
China led the way with its "vaccine diplomacy," supplying Sinovac and Sinopharm to developing nations and using these deliveries to build political goodwill. Meanwhile, wealthier countries, including those in the West, were criticised for "vaccine nationalism"—prioritising domestic supply even at the expense of global access. One notable case was Italy blocking the export of AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia.
The piece raises concerns about the ethics of using life-saving vaccines as bargaining chips. It warns that such tactics risk undermining global cooperation and public trust at a time when collective action is crucial.
Ultimately, the article calls for a return to global solidarity—urging nations to share resources and work together to ensure vaccine equity, rather than allowing politics to overshadow public health.
U.S. Action Against TikTok And WeChat Symbolizes A Global Backlash Against China Inc.
The U.S.-China tech rivalry has intensified into a clash of ideologies, with data privacy, censorship, and digital freedom at the core. Executive orders banning TikTok and WeChat reflect fears over Chinese laws requiring tech firms to share data with the state. These platforms face global backlash over links to Beijing’s surveillance and censorship. The U.S. is expanding restrictions from hardware to data and apps, prompting market fragmentation along ideological lines. Countries like India have followed suit, banning Chinese apps amid rising tensions. As firms like Microsoft consider acquisitions, the era of corporate reshuffling, digital ring-fencing, and strategic decoupling is accelerating.
How Tencent became world’s most valuable social media company – and then everything changed
Tencent briefly surpassed Facebook in market value, highlighting China’s digital dominance. But U.S. executive orders targeting WeChat triggered a sharp $66 billion drop, reflecting growing techno-nationalist tensions. The U.S.-China tech Cold War is intensifying as democracies reject China’s surveillance-linked digital platforms due to data privacy concerns and authoritarian laws. Laws like China’s National Intelligence Law compel firms to share data with the Communist Party, making Chinese tech firms global security risks. As the U.S. and allies implement bans and “clean networks” initiatives, Tencent faces a possible fate like Huawei’s. This signals a fragmented future where digital ecosystems split along ideological lines.
How Techno-Nationalism Will Overshadow Any U.S.-China Trade Deal
In May 2020, two major events marked a turning point in U.S.-China relations: Taiwan’s TSMC agreed to build a $12 billion chip plant in Arizona, and the U.S. tightened export controls to block Huawei’s access to microchips made with U.S. technology. These moves signal a shift toward techno-nationalism, with nations ring-fencing strategic industries for security reasons. China responded with plans to blacklist U.S. firms like Apple and Qualcomm. As both countries pressure global companies like TSMC and STMicroelectronics, the tech Cold War is deepening. This decoupling marks a broader ideological and economic split that extends far beyond trade disputes.