Governing High-Risk Technologies in a Fragmented World: Geopolitical Tensions, Regulatory Gaps, and Institutional Barriers to Global Cooperation
Jieli Li
Abstract
Abstract The global governance of high-risk technologies—including nuclear technology, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology, and gene editing—faces mounting challenges due to geopolitical tensions, regulatory gaps, and institutional barriers. Drawing on sociopolitical theories such as Beck’s Risk Society , Giddens’ Runaway World , and Perrow’s Normal Accidents , this paper examines the complexities of regulating rapidly advancing technologies within a fragmented global landscape. Unlike previous industrial revolutions, today’s technological transformations are unfolding at an unprecedented pace, outstripping existing governance structures and exacerbating regulatory asymmetries and geopolitical rivalries. The national securitization of technology and the absence of binding international frameworks hinder effective cooperation, fueling an unregulated “technological race.” Addressing these governance challenges requires multilateral collaboration, legally binding treaties, and independent regulatory bodies with enforcement capabilities. Without coordinated global efforts, unchecked technological proliferation may heighten security risks, deepen global inequalities, and erode trust in regulatory institutions. This paper critically evaluates current governance deficiencies and explores pathways toward more effective and inclusive global cooperation in managing high-risk technologies.