The following piece is part of the U.S.-India AI Fellowship Program’s short-form series.
By: Divyansh Kaushik
Global power struggles are increasingly defined not only by traditional infrastructure but by the digital architecture of nations. The India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC), originally conceived for transportation and energy logistics, now presents an opportunity to redefine its role. The author argues that integrating secure artificial intelligence infrastructure within IMEC is essential for countering digital dependency and safeguarding national security. It is also pertinent for strengthening strategic partnerships — most notably between India, the Middle East, and the United States. A Secure and Aligned AI Initiative (SAAII) must be a critical new digital pillar within IMEC, designed to deploy robust, secure, and democratically governed AI data centers.
Strategic importance of AI infrastructure in IMEC: Securing against digital dependency
Historical investments in infrastructure — from the roads that enabled the Agricultural Revolution to the canals of the Industrial Era — have always transformed societies. Today, digital connectivity, powered by undersea cables and advanced data centers, plays a similar role. However, the rapid deployment of digital technologies has also introduced strategic vulnerabilities. Low-cost technologies, while accelerating connectivity, often come with significant security risks, as seen in the global debates over equipment from firms under totalitarian control, such as Huawei and ZTE.
In the current AI era, secure data centers are the nerve centers that process, store, and analyze enormous volumes of data critical to national security and economic innovation. For IMEC, embedding secure AI infrastructure is not simply a technical upgrade — it is a strategic maneuver to counter digital dependency and ensure that technological advancement remains aligned with democratic principles. This integrated approach ensures that as IMEC evolves from a traditional transportation and energy corridor into a digital powerhouse, it does so on a foundation that mitigates risks from authoritarian influences and protects critical data assets.
Why secure AI data centers are imperative
The current global landscape reveals a pressing need to secure our digital assets against potential adversaries. Over the past decade, Chinese companies have been instrumental in deploying critical infrastructure worldwide. For example, Huawei has played a central role in the global rollout of 5G networks. However, its technology has been repeatedly scrutinized and restricted in markets such as the United States and parts of Europe over concerns about backdoors for espionage. Similarly, ZTE’s close ties to the Chinese government have raised alarms about the security of its telecommunications equipment, prompting several countries to impose restrictions.
These cases highlight the dual nature of rapid digital deployment: while low-cost technology accelerates connectivity, it also introduces vulnerabilities. In AI, data centers are the new nerve centers where sensitive data is stored and processed. Without robust security measures, these facilities could become entry points for nations with illiberal authoritarian agendas — especially from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) — to access critical AI research and proprietary algorithms.
Given the strategic importance of AI in national security, economic growth, and global influence, it is imperative to:
Present an alternative to PRC tech: By designing secure, sovereign data centers that adhere to democratic governance and stringent cybersecurity protocols, we can ensure that sensitive AI data and innovations remain insulated from potential manipulation or espionage.
Enhanced oversight: A transparent, regulated environment will mitigate the risks associated with technology transfer. Such guardrails exist in several major partnerships, including Microsoft’s US$1.5 billion AI partnership with United Arab Emirates (UAE) firm G42.
A rising tide of digital dependency
Recent evidence reveals alarming trends. More than 70% of countries that have deployed Chinese AI surveillance systems have experienced a decline in digital privacy protections since 2020. Nearly 83% of technology agreements under initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) include mandatory data-sharing provisions. In Africa, Chinese firms control critical digital infrastructure in 37 out of 54 nations — a steep rise from 21 in 2019.
These figures indicate that while rapid digital deployment meets immediate connectivity needs, it also creates dependencies that risk national sovereignty and individual privacy.
Reimagining IMEC for the AI era
IMEC spans regions representing over 35% of global Gross Domestic Product and is home to a robust technology workforce. Its transformation into a secure digital corridor positions it uniquely to bridge traditional infrastructure with cutting-edge AI innovation. IMEC’s strategic, geographic, and economic significance make it the ideal vehicle for SAAII — connecting key markets and technological hubs while providing a neutral platform for democratic collaboration.
In this vision, India’s dynamic technology sector and the United States’ leadership in secure AI development form a powerful partnership. By integrating SAAII into IMEC, the initiative leverages India’s growing digital influence and the United States’ expertise in cybersecurity and AI innovation, thereby reinforcing the strategic and economic ties between the two nations. This partnership strengthens the IMEC project and provides a model for international cooperation in safeguarding digital sovereignty. This uniquely positioned expansive network supports the transformation from traditional physical infrastructure to a robust digital ecosystem. Recent partnerships, such as the US$1.5 billion Microsoft–G42 deal in the UAE, which is set to generate tens of billions of dollars in economic activity while maintaining strict data sovereignty standards, demonstrate the viability of a democratic alternative.
A new blueprint for AI sovereignty: The Secure Aligned AI Initiative (SAAII)
The Secure and Aligned AI Initiative (SAAII) as a proposition for IMEC is not merely another technical project — it is a bold vision to reclaim technological sovereignty in an era where non-democratic digital systems are rapidly expanding. SAAII is designed to counter the growing influence of authoritarian technologies and ensure that AI infrastructure serves democratic values. Its proposed architecture comprises three interdependent pillars: robust technical infrastructure, transparent governance, and economic empowerment.
Building a global network of secure AI data centers
At the core of SAAII lies the need for a sturdy, jointly financed network of secure AI data centers. A striking example is the recent US$1 billion comprehensive digital ecosystem initiative announced by Microsoft and G42 in Kenya. This landmark project will see the construction of a state-of-the-art green data center in Olkaria, powered entirely by renewable geothermal energy and equipped with advanced water conservation technology. Designed to run Microsoft Azure through a new East Africa Cloud Region, this facility demonstrates how collaborative financing can achieve scale and security while serving as a model for like-minded nations to replicate worldwide.
Pooling financial resources is only part of the solution. The success of such projects also depends on leveraging shared expertise and talent. The Kenya initiative has brought together engineers, cybersecurity experts, and AI researchers to establish stringent security protocols and best practices. This collaborative environment ensures that these data centers operate at the cutting edge of technology and maintain the highest standards of transparency and accountability — a stark contrast to the models deployed by companies like Huawei and ZTE, whose opaque systems have raised security concerns internationally.
While secure AI data centers are the primary focus, they will be complemented by a broader framework that reinforces democratic digital infrastructure:
Joint financing and strategic partnerships:
Like-minded countries must pool resources, as exemplified by the Microsoft-G42 partnership in Kenya, where international partners collaborate to secure substantial capital investments. This approach prevents overreliance on any nation’s technology and mitigates risks associated with totalitarian adversarial influence. Multilateral development banks like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and public–private partnerships have successfully financed earlier large-scale regional digital transformation projects. By adapting these models, countries can secure investments that jointly support long-term digital autonomy and infrastructural development.Global expertise and talent development:
Collaborative projects allow for the cross-border sharing of technical expertise and best practices. Such initiatives create centers of excellence that drive innovation and ensure that robust cybersecurity measures are in place.Robust economic impact:
Investments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure have been shown to stimulate economic growth through various channels. Empirical studies have consistently demonstrated a positive correlation between ICT adoption and the development of an economy at the country and firm levels.. Moreover, ICT infrastructure investments can significantly impact non-oil-dependent GDP. In the UAE, for example, the ICT spending multiplier on non-oil GDP is around 1.8, notably higher than the multiplier for non-ICT investments, which stands at 0.9.
Why IMEC?
IMEC’s distinctive strength lies in its potential to bridge disparate markets and technological ecosystems. It offers:
Integrated cross-border collaboration: IMEC’s framework is inherently designed for international cooperation, ensuring that expertise, technology, and strategic insights are pooled together. This collective approach is crucial for developing secure AI data centers, requiring coordinated cybersecurity and data governance global standards.
Strategic geopolitical positioning: With its extensive reach across critical regions, IMEC serves as a dynamic platform that mitigates the risks of digital dependency. Its established infrastructure and regional influence make it an ideal incubator for pioneering initiatives like the Secure and Aligned AI Initiative (SAAII), which aims to counter the vulnerabilities posed by totalitarian digital systems.
Unmatched scale and synergy: While secure AI initiatives could be undertaken independently, the scale and synergistic benefits offered by IMEC, such as shared risk, integrated financing models, and cross-sector partnerships, create a competitive advantage that isolated projects lack. IMEC’s robust network and ability to channel investments from multiple nations make it the optimal vehicle for driving transformative change in AI infrastructure.
By embedding SAAII within IMEC, we harness a platform already positioned at the nexus of global trade, technology, and diplomacy. This integration will strengthen national security and digital sovereignty while reinforcing critical Indo-U.S. partnerships by leveraging India’s vibrant tech ecosystem and the United States’ leadership in secure AI innovation.
Conclusion
IMEC’s established infrastructure for cross-border collaboration, its significant regional impact, and its role as a linchpin in global logistics and innovation make it the ideal environment for SAAII. The initiative, when integrated within IMEC, not only fortifies digital sovereignty and national security but also sets the stage for transformative partnerships — most notably between India and the United States — by leveraging the unique strengths of each.
Divyansh Kaushik is part of the U.S.-India AI Fellowship Program at ORF America. He is currently the Vice President of Beacon Global Strategies.