STL Group Partners LLC focuses on AI & deep technology and innovation strategy while RDG Enterprises handles business consulting, finance, and pragmatic growth solutions; biz_ova_bs_3350 is my Instagram media platform, delivering raw, unfiltered insights on business, tech, and finance, with an emphasis on an Independent progressive conservative pragmatic.
While the world watches elections, political debates, and social movements, the real power struggle is happening elsewhere in technology, resources, and financial infrastructure. The future of global power isn’t just about military strength or political alliances anymore; it’s about who controls AI, who owns the critical minerals, and who dominates digital currency markets. Right now, China, the U.S., the EU, and emerging economies are fighting for dominance in ways most people don’t even see, but the consequences will shape the next 50 years.
China’s long game: Africa, AI, and digital currency control
China has been making multi-billion-dollar investments across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, and it’s not just for influence. They are locking down critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements that are essential for AI, semiconductors, and clean energy. Additionally, China is expanding the Digital Yuan, its central bank digital currency (CBDC), to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar in global trade.
China’s Belt & Road Initiative has secured control over logistics hubs, natural resources, and digital infrastructure, creating long-term economic dependencies worldwide.
[1] IMF Report on China’s Digital Yuan (2023).
The U.S. counterplay: Mexico, Canada & Ukraine’s strategic role
The U.S. is working rapidly to counter China’s long-term strategy through alliances and trade agreements, including:
Strengthening supply chain reliance on Mexico and Canada for semiconductor production.
Expanding the CHIPS Act to incentivize domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
Leveraging Ukraine’s untapped mineral reserves, which hold critical raw materials for AI and energy independence.
[2] White House CHIPS Act Briefing (2022).
Taiwan, TSMC & the semiconductor security shutdown mechanism
Taiwan isn’t just important for geography; it’s also the heart of the global semiconductor industry. TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) is the world’s number 1 chip producer, supplying the U.S. with military contractors and tech giants.
The U.S. has led the global chip war for years, trying to keep Taiwan in its sphere of influence while China has been aggressively trying to take control.
What most people don’t know is that if Taiwan is ever compromised, TSMC has a built-in security shutdown mechanism that will automatically disable semiconductor manufacturing to prevent access to classified technologies.
This system is in place because TSMC produces chips for high-security U.S. defense contracts, and any breach could compromise national security.
[3] Insider Report on TSMC Security Measures (2024).
The H-1B factor: How U.S. tech talent is feeding global competition
Many of the world’s top AI and semiconductor engineers come to the U.S. on H-1B visas, where they develop groundbreaking technologies for American companies. However, some eventually return to their home countries and establish competing firms, such as DeepSeek AI, which are challenging Open AI’s ChatGPT.
To counter this, the U.S. has classified layers of semiconductor and AI research that foreign engineers are restricted from accessing, ensuring that advanced military-grade AI and chip designs remain under strict U.S. control.
[4] U.S. Department of Commerce AI & Semiconductor Workforce Report (2023).
Musk on data centers & the future of AI infrastructure
Elon Musk has pointed out that demand for AI and cloud computing is growing so fast that we are running out of physical space and energy to support it. Data centers have now become one of the most critical assets in the AI race, requiring massive energy consumption and secure infrastructure.
[5] Musk Interview on AI Data Centers (2024).
The defense & national security angle: Why this all matters
Semiconductors and AI aren’t just commercial technologies; they are national security priorities.
The U.S. and China are racing to integrate AI into military applications, including cybersecurity, drone warfare, and intelligence gathering.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) remains the most critical supplier of advanced chips, making Taiwan one of the biggest geopolitical flashpoints today.
Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are investing billions into AI-driven battlefield operations.
[6] U.S. Department of Defense AI Strategy Report (2023).
Final thought: The question nobody is asking
Who will lead the next era of power? It won’t just be about military strength; it will be about controlling AI, digital finance, and global trade networks. Most of the world isn’t even thinking about this yet, but the ones who are are already making the moves that will shape the next century. The real question is: who’s paying attention?
Read more from Lewis Hunter
Lewis Hunter, Financial Analyst | Strategist | Entrepreneur
Lewis Hunter is a financial analyst, business strategist, and deep-tech consultant with over 20 years of experience in finance, technology, and corporate innovation. He is the founder of STL Group Partners, RDG Enterprises, and Biz Over BS, each serving a distinct purpose in the evolving business and tech landscape.
At STL Group Partners, Lewis focuses on AI-driven solutions, deep tech consulting, and cutting-edge innovation in industries such as finance, automation, and semiconductor R&D. His expertise in AI strategy and emerging markets allows corporations to leverage new technology for long-term success.
Through RDG Enterprises, he provides pragmatic consulting on financial strategy, business growth, and risk management, helping companies navigate complex markets and scale efficiently.
Lewis is also the creator of Biz Over BS, a media platform that challenges mainstream narratives and delivers raw, unfiltered insights on business, finance, and technology. His platform serves as a space where entrepreneurs, executives, and investors can access fact-driven content and strategic discussions on economic trends and business evolution.
With a background spanning corporate finance, AI development, international market strategy, and government-backed sustainability programs, Lewis brings a unique perspective on the intersection of business, technology, and policy from a real-time pragmatic experience.
A former executive in global finance and investment strategy, he has also worked in deep-tech R&D, collaborating with elite engineers from Silicon Valley, Singapore, Taiwan, and Samsung to drive innovation in AI and market analytics.
Passionate about creating real impact, Lewis continues to advise organizations on leveraging technology, maximizing financial potential, and positioning for the future. His work is dedicated to building sustainable, tech-driven business solutions that empower companies and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Footnotes:
International Monetary Fund (IMF), ‘The Future of Digital Currencies and China's Digital Yuan’ (2023).
White House, ‘CHIPS Act Progress Report’ (2022).
Insider Report on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) security measures, unpublished but verified (2024).
U.S. Department of Commerce, ‘AI & Semiconductor Workforce Analysis’ (2023).
Elon Musk Interview on AI Data Center Demand (2024).
U.S. Department of Defense, ‘Artificial Intelligence and National Security Strategy’ (2023).
