Why 'Data Is the New Oil' Misses the Point, According to an AI Governance Expert

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-05

AI governance is no longer a niche policy topic. It's now the battlefield where control over data, digital infrastructure, and cross-border influence is being decided. The choices governments and tech giants make today will shape global power dynamics, civil liberties, and who gets access to the data needed to build tomorrow's AI systems. To unpack these complex issues, we sat down with Dr. Bulelani Jili, a technology speaker and global authority on AI governance, surveillance, and digital power. He's an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and a Faculty Associate at Harvard Law School's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. In this exclusive interview, he examines the politicization of AI, the rising importance of digital sovereignty, and how leaders can approach cybersecurity within a broader cultural, political, and geographical context. ### Why AI Governance Is Central to Global Power **Q1: Why is AI governance now central to the balance of global power?** Dr. Jili: "Our supply chains have become increasingly politicized. They're no longer just about moving commodities and connecting with suppliers. The structure itself has become a node of tension, with parties in different countries leveraging those nodes to pursue their own political interests." "AI is also disruptive. It forces us to think more critically about the future of work and the nature of cybersecurity. Its disruptive nature raises traditional regulatory questions while asking us to consider the possibilities for our futures." "AI is heavily politicized because stakeholders recognize the scale of change it brings. Many see it as an opportunity to further economic disruption or scale the means of disrupting traditional networks within the cybersecurity space." "AI is political because of both the scale and rate of change." ### Digital Sovereignty and the Data Dilemma **Q2: How are today's AI decisions reshaping digital sovereignty and future geopolitical influence?** Dr. Jili: "Questions about AI are having several influences. One of the most significant concerns digital sovereignty." "Countries across the Global North and Global South want greater control over their data, which is a requisite ingredient in AI. As a result, countries are seeking to localize their data." "Some countries consider data to have a categorical value contingent on cultural or indigenous grounds. Others view it as a commodity with a tradable value and want greater control over it. This thinking has been extended through the metaphor that data is the new oil." "That metaphor has received considerable attention, but it is partly misleading. Data's value depends on its scalability and processing. Its value is contingent on what we can do with it." "This shift has changed how countries think about digital sovereignty, particularly where and how they house their data. AI companies will operate in an environment where access to data becomes increasingly politicized and potentially more difficult." "That will change the nature of business and how companies interact with governments. As we consider AI-powered futures, we must think carefully about how we manage sources of data." ### Rethinking Cybersecurity Beyond Networks **Q3: How should leaders balance cybersecurity, operational efficiency, and civil liberties in digital systems?** Dr. Jili: "The most important step is to broaden our understanding of cybersecurity." "Cybersecurity is no longer simply a question of networks. It is also a cultural, political, and geographical question." "Broadening how we understand cybersecurity will allow us to better balance the challenges we face today." For leaders, this means moving beyond a purely technical checklist. It requires asking deeper questions: - Who controls the data our systems rely on? - How do local regulations impact our global operations? - What are the ethical implications of our data storage choices? - How can we build trust with users in a politically charged environment? ### The Future Is Not Predetermined **Q4: What do you want audiences to reconsider about technology and the future after hearing you speak?** Dr. Jili: "I want people to recognize that the future has not been predetermined and that we are part of the solution we are looking for." "Our futures will be filled with choices. The decisions we make today about data, AI, and governance will determine whether technology serves as a tool for empowerment or control. It's not about being passive observers; it's about being active participants in shaping the digital world." As AI continues to evolve, the conversation around governance will only intensify. The key takeaway from Dr. Jili's insights is clear: we can't afford to treat data as a simple commodity or cybersecurity as a purely technical issue. Instead, we need to embrace a holistic view that considers cultural, political, and geographical dimensions. Whether you're a business leader, a policymaker, or a concerned citizen, the time to engage with these questions is now. Because the future isn't something that happens to us. It's something we build, one decision at a time.