Chapter 13: The Future of International Relations
Taking the Red Pill on Global Politics
13.1: Case Study- The Matrix (1999)
Taking the Red Pill on Global Politics
The rapid pace of technological advancement is fundamentally altering the way we think about power, security, and governance in international relations. Once the stuff of science fiction, artificial intelligence (AI) and its related technologies are now shaping military strategies, global economies, and the future of humanity itself. These innovations raise a crucial question: who will control the technologies that are destined to define the next era of global politics? To explore these issues, we turn to The Matrix, a cinematic exploration of a future where AI not only surpasses human intelligence but also enslaves humanity. While fictional, the film provides a powerful lens through which we can examine key international relations (IR) concepts like the balance of power, technological sovereignty, and the ethical dilemmas posed by AI. By connecting these ideas to our real-world challenges, we can better understand how emerging technologies might shape the future of the global order.
Set in a dystopian future, The Matrix tells the story of a world where intelligent machines have seized control, reducing humans to mere energy sources while keeping them unaware of their fate through a simulated reality known as the Matrix. Neo, the protagonist, learns this harrowing truth and joins a rebellion to fight for humanity’s liberation. This premise is more than a gripping sci-fi narrative; it is a cautionary tale about the unchecked power of technology and the human tendency to overlook its broader implications. Just as the machines in The Matrix manipulate humans to maintain control, real-world technologies—such as surveillance AI and autonomous weaponry—have the potential to consolidate power in the hands of a few, challenging the norms of global governance and equity. The film serves as a reminder that technological innovation, without ethical consideration and regulation, can fundamentally reshape power dynamics, which is a theme we encounter repeatedly when discussing AI’s role in international relations. Check out the scene below where Morpheus, a leader in the human resistance, explains to Neo how the machines took control.
In today’s world, is revolutionizing everything from military defense systems to economic decision-making, turning it into a powerful tool that states can use to consolidate influence or gain an edge over rivals. The rise of AI-driven military technology, such as autonomous drones and predictive data analysis for warfare, is particularly significant. For instance, the United States and China are heavily investing in AI as part of their strategies to assert dominance in the global arena. Beyond its military applications, AI also plays a role in economic forecasting and diplomatic efforts, such as tracking political instability or analyzing social media trends to predict protests. These applications give technologically advanced states a distinct advantage, further widening the power gap between nations with robust AI capabilities and those that lack them. Just as Neo questions the source of the Matrix’s control, IR scholars must ask: how do nations ensure that AI enhances global security rather than exacerbates inequality or instability? This leads naturally to a discussion of the role automation and AI-generated content play in amplifying both opportunities and risks.
The development of and the rise of automation add another layer of complexity to this technological transformation. By creating original content—whether text, art, or even fake video footage—generative AI has profound implications for geopolitics. For example, deepfake technology has already been used to manipulate public opinion during elections, such as in the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign. These tools can destabilize governments, spread disinformation, and erode trust in democratic institutions. Meanwhile, is reshaping economies by displacing millions of jobs in industries like manufacturing and agriculture. Developing nations, in particular, face significant challenges as their economies—often reliant on low-skill labor—struggle to compete with AI-powered industries. These disruptions mirror the underlying themes of The Matrix, where technological efficiency and control come at the expense of human autonomy and equality. As generative AI continues to grow more sophisticated, the divide between nations that benefit from these tools and those that suffer from their consequences widens, setting the stage for broader discussions about fairness and governance in the digital age.
One of the most debated topics surrounding AI is the idea of the “,” a hypothetical moment when machines surpass human intelligence, leading to a cascade of unpredictable advancements beyond human control. Proponents argue that this could revolutionize problem-solving, potentially allowing machines to address global crises like climate change or poverty. However, skeptics warn that if AI gains the capacity to operate autonomously, it could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Who decides the priorities of an intelligence far superior to humanity? The Matrix dramatizes this fear: the machines, once designed to assist humanity, become its masters, operating under their own logic with little regard for human life. The concept of further deepens this debate. AGI represents a level of machine intelligence that could rival human reasoning across all domains, making it a potential game-changer in diplomacy and conflict resolution. But as AGI approaches reality, it raises critical ethical questions about accountability and regulation. These questions remind us that while technological progress offers immense potential, it also carries risks that demand careful consideration.
Beyond the implications for governance and power, emerging technologies challenge our very understanding of what it means to be human. —a philosophy that explores the integration of technology and humanity—forces us to confront the possibility that machines may not just assist us but also redefine us. If AI systems or enhanced humans become politically and socially significant, how should global governance adapt? Should autonomous machines with self-awareness have rights? The Matrix captures this tension by showing a world where humanity struggles to assert its identity in the face of superior, machine-driven logic. In the real world, countries like Japan are already experimenting with robotics in caregiving roles, blurring the boundaries between human and machine. These developments challenge traditional notions of citizenship, sovereignty, and political authority, posing profound questions for the future of international relations. If humans are no longer the central actors on the global stage, what does this mean for systems of governance built around human interests?
The rise of AI and related technologies presents both extraordinary opportunities and immense challenges for the future of international relations. From automation reshaping economies to the potential risks of AGI and post-humanism, we are entering an era where traditional power structures and norms are being disrupted at an unprecedented scale. Like Neo in The Matrix, we must confront the uncomfortable truths about the world we are creating. How we navigate these challenges will determine whether technology becomes a tool for liberation or domination, reshaping not just our systems of governance but our understanding of humanity itself.
The development of machines and systems capable of performing tasks that require human intelligence, such as decision-making and problem-solving, with significant implications for economic and military dominance.
A type of AI designed to produce new content—such as text, images, or music—by learning patterns and structures from existing data.
The use of technology to perform tasks without human intervention, leading to concerns about job displacement and economic inequality.
The hypothetical point where AI surpasses human intelligence, creating a scenario where machines could dominate or replace human decision-making.
A theoretical form of AI with the ability to understand, learn, and perform any intellectual task that a human can do, demonstrating adaptability and general reasoning across diverse domains.
The idea that humanity can be transformed or replaced by technology, challenging traditional concepts of human nature and political authority.
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