General-Purpose Technologies: 7 Game-Changing Secrets That Will Explode Global Power in the AI Era

Throughout history, General-Purpose Technologies (GPTs) like the printing press, steam power, and the digital revolution have reshaped global power by driving economic growth, innovation, and geopolitical dominance. Early adopters gained lasting advantages through ecosystem development and cross-sector spillovers, while latecomers like India demonstrated that strategic niche adoption and leveraging unique strengths can also yield transformative success.

Today, AI represents a cognitive leap with vast economic, military, and social implications, intensifying a global race marked by divergent national strategies and rising tech nationalism. To harness AI’s promise, nations must invest in foundational infrastructure, nurture talent, stimulate demand, and ensure inclusive transitions. Crucially, balancing innovation with ethical governance and fostering international cooperation will determine whether AI becomes a force for collective progress or division. The lessons of past GPTs provide a roadmap—but the unprecedented scale and speed of AI’s impact demand urgent, thoughtful stewardship.

General-Purpose Technologies: 7 Game-Changing Secrets That Will Explode Global Power in the AI Era

Throughout history, nations that harness transformative technologies have rewritten the rules of global influence. From the printing press to artificial intelligence (AI), General-Purpose Technologies (GPTs)—innovations with broad applicability and ripple effects—have been the invisible architects of geopolitical dominance. As nations now vie for supremacy in the AI era, understanding the lessons of past GPTs offers a roadmap to navigating this technological revolution.  

Historical Lessons: How GPTs Rewired Power Structures 

• The Printing Press & Knowledge Democratization 

Johannes Gutenberg’s 15th-century invention didn’t just print books—it shattered monopolies on knowledge. Northern European states that adopted the technology saw literacy rates soar, fueling the Renaissance and Reformation. Meanwhile, the Ottoman Empire’s reluctance to embrace the press contributed to its gradual decline. As historian Elizabeth Eisenstein noted, “The printing press was the great catalyst for intellectual and social change, creating a public sphere of debate.”  

• Steam Power & Britain’s Industrial Hegemony 

Britain’s mastery of steam technology in the 19th century propelled it to global leadership. Factories, railways, and steamships enabled unmatched economic and military reach, culminating in the British Empire contributing 9% of global GDP by 1851. However, complacency in adopting newer technologies like electricity allowed rivals like the U.S. and Germany to surge ahead.  

• The Digital Revolution & American Primacy 

The U.S. leveraged its early lead in computing and the internet to dominate the late 20th century. By commercializing GPS in 1983, it spawned industries worth trillions, from ride-sharing to precision agriculture. Silicon Valley became synonymous with innovation, anchoring America’s tech-driven economy. 

GPTs create self-reinforcing advantages. Early adopters benefit from economies of scale, cross-sector innovation, and entrenched ecosystems that laggards struggle to replicate.  

India’s Playbook: Turning Adoption into Advantage 

While not a GPT pioneer, India’s strategic embrace of IT services in the 1990s showcases how nations can carve niches in existing ecosystems. By capitalizing on a skilled, English-speaking workforce, India transformed into a global IT hub:  

• Economic Impact: IT exports ballooned from $100 million in 1991 to $194 billion by 2023, contributing 9% to GDP.  

• Global Influence: Indian firms resolved the Y2K crisis, earning global trust. Today, India hosts over 1,620 Global Capability Centers for multinationals.  

• Spillover Effects: A thriving startup ecosystem (159,000+ startups) and tech adoption by SMEs (35% invest heavily in digital tools) illustrate broader economic transformation. 

India’s success underscores that latecomers can thrive by identifying strategic niches and leveraging demographic strengths.  

AI: The Cognitive Revolution Reshaping the 21st Century 

AI’s uniqueness lies in its cognitive capabilities—processing vast data, self-improving algorithms, and autonomous decision-making. Its impact spans:  

• Economic Reconfiguration: AI could add $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030 (McKinsey). Yet, its “winner-takes-most” nature risks widening inequality, with advanced economies capturing disproportionate gains.  

• Military Asymmetry: AI-driven systems like autonomous drones (used in Ukraine) and Project Maven (U.S. surveillance AI) are redefining warfare. Nations lagging in AI risk strategic vulnerability.  

• Social Transformation: Public services are being reinvented—AI reduces healthcare wait times in the U.S. and powers India’s AI-driven grievance redressal systems. 

The Global AI Race: Divergent Strategies 

• China: A $30-billion AI fund and strict generative AI regulations aim for controlled dominance.  

• U.S.: The CHIPS Act and deregulatory moves under Trump’s 2025 order prioritize outpacing rivals.  

• EU: The AI Act balances innovation with ethics, focusing on risk mitigation.  

• India: The IndiaAI Mission (₹10,000 crore) targets compute infrastructure and vernacular language models. 

Emerging Tensions: Tech nationalism, semiconductor shortages, and data governance disputes are fracturing global cooperation.  

Policy Imperatives: Learning from the Past 

• Build Foundational Ecosystems  

Invest in GPU clusters, semiconductor supply chains, and open datasets.  

Cultivate talent through AI-focused education and visas for specialists. 

• Drive Catalytic Demand  

Use public procurement to spur AI adoption (e.g., healthcare, urban planning).  

Foster domain-specific AI models (e.g., India’s focus on local languages). 

• Ensure Inclusive Transitions  

Address job displacement via reskilling (e.g., South Korea’s “K-Digital” initiative).  

Counter algorithmic bias with ethical frameworks. 

• Balance Agility & Governance  

Avoid overregulation stifling innovation (as seen in Britain’s delayed electrification).  

Adopt adaptive policies, like regulatory sandboxes for AI testing. 

Conclusion: Mastering the AI Inflection Point 

AI is not just another GPT—it’s a cognitive revolution with unparalleled speed and scope. Nations that replicate historical lessons—building ecosystems, fostering inclusivity, and balancing innovation with ethics—will shape the 21st century. Yet, unlike past technologies, AI’s ethical and existential risks demand global cooperation. As economist Carlota Perez warns, “Technological surges are inevitable, but their outcomes depend on societal choices.” The question is whether humanity will wield AI as a tool for shared progress or a weapon of division. The stakes have never been higher.