Framing AI and Digital Sovereignty – A Survey on National AI Strategies in Russia, Germany and China

The rapid progress and development of AI is not only prompting speculation about the impacts of AI applications on society domestically, but also raising the concerns on the international competition and interdependence globally. China's political discourse has long emphasized the importance of technological sovereignty in fields like artificial intelligence as a key factor in the country's long-term development. In Europe, calls to strengthen “digital sovereignty” and autonomy are multiplying and are now introduced to the fields of artificial intelligence too. But is the notion of "sovereignty" a practical solution for AI applications and competition? The danger of rising techno-nationalism and harmful societal side effects need careful consideration. This article surveys and compares the development of national AI strategies in China, Russia and Germany. Applying the discourse of “digital sovereignty”, this study contours a landscape of national AI strategies from three aspects in each country: the legal regulations, participation of state and private sectors, as well as the applications of AI in different industries. This survey aims to offer an inspiring perspective to understand the new round of technology competition and invites a critical reflection on the impacts of technology.