If a third world war is to begin in the near future, then the first beads have already started to fall, pulling the world closer to a point of no return. With Mr. Trump back in the Oval Office and multiple conflicts — especially in West Asia — simmering beneath the surface, the fuse feels dangerously exposed. Some might argue that these assumptions are premature or even outlandish.
But at the time of writing this column, there has been an unprecedented carnage in the American stock exchange. The launch of China’s DeepSeek R1 AI model has reshuffled the geopolitical chessboard overnight. As Lenin once remarked, “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”
This technological leap has been described by Marc Andreessen, one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture capitalists, as “AI’s Sputnik moment.” DeepSeek-R1’s creators claim they developed their model using fewer and less advanced semiconductor chips than those deployed by American tech titans. In doing so, they have openly challenged the American technological supremacy that has dominated global innovation and IT services for more than three decades.
The once-comforting notion that American companies cannot be matched — let alone surpassed — has been shattered overnight. Now, it appears the Chinese are not merely keeping up with the Americans but are positioning themselves to leapfrog them altogether in this unfolding era of artificial intelligence. By open-sourcing their cutting-edge software, they have jolted Silicon Valley’s long-standing business models to their core, sending shockwaves through the so-called American dominance in the global tech arena.
To put it simply, Nvidia, arguably the most prominent player in this space, lost around $600 billion in market value almost overnight after DeepSeek’s dramatic unveiling. Beyond the immediate financial devastation, one critical point that must not be overlooked is that by granting global companies both in industrialized and emerging economies unrestricted access to its technology, China is asserting its soft power on the international stage, boldly elevating its status as a formidable world power.
It is still far too early to declare that World War III is inevitable. But it would be naïve to think that this technological earthquake will simply fade away. This seismic development has set the tone for a profound paradigm shift in the emerging world order — a race for digital and technological supremacy and a fresh cold war of algorithms, this time waged through data centers, trade corridors, intellectual property disputes, and international courtrooms.
It remains to be seen who will emerge triumphant or whether other seasoned players, such as Russia, will devise strategies to carve out their own stake in this high-stakes contest. For the moment, it is at least a small relief that none of the major global powers is directly challenging Mr. Trump militarily, nor does he appear inclined to ignite fresh armed conflicts abroad.
Yet this time, war may not follow the conventional image of nations clashing with tanks, missiles, and boots on the ground. Instead, it may unfold as a covert confrontation between two technological juggernauts from rival superpowers: DeepSeek and ChatGPT. A clash of algorithms — each embedded with its own values, goals, and far-reaching influence — could well become the spark that sets the stage for a more complex and subtle cold war if it is not navigated with prudence, diplomacy, and responsibility.
Lastly, some pressing questions linger, awaiting honest answers. Is DeepSeek genuinely free from the notorious censorship policies and surveillance that the Chinese government is infamous for? Are there hidden risks of covert data breaches or unseen layers of state control? And can America’s powerful tech corporations adapt swiftly to this existential challenge — or will another unexpected “Sputnik moment” force them to reinvent themselves yet again to protect their dominance?
Time alone will reveal the answers. And time, as always, remains the greatest teacher of all.
Obaidur Rahman Mirsab, the guest author, is a student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Edited by: Omama Abu Talha
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members.
