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 The era of Tech-Geopolitics (技政學) has arrived. Technology is no longer merely a tool for industrial progress; it has become a central force shaping global competition and conflicts . Cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, energy, and telecommunications are now at the core of international power struggles, influencing the balance of global dominance. Geopolitical conflicts are accelerating technological competition , and innovation has become a crucial strategy for national security and economic prosperity. The ongoing U.S.-China rivalry exemplifies this trend. The battle over semiconductors and AI has escalated beyond technological superiority into economic sanctions and supply chain restructuring . Meanwhile, Europe and Japan are actively strengthening their technological sovereignty, and South Korea faces the challenge of defining its survival strategy in this high-stakes environment. At its core, Tech-Geopolitics signifies how...

The mobility industry is expected to undergo significant changes in 2025, driven by advancements in electrification, AI, and autonomous driving . Externally, the global trade landscape is being reshaped amid geopolitical tensions, leading to increased protectionism and localization strategies. In the U.S., the Trump 2.0 era is likely to bring extensive economic sanctions on China, including revoking Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) status, imposing high tariffs, and blocking indirect trade routes . These policies will align with tax credit reductions on EVs and supply chain decoupling efforts, urging global companies to localize production. Tariffs, reshoring incentives, and trade deficit reduction policies will accelerate domestic investment in the U.S., reshaping the competitive landscape. Electrification and the Battery Industry With the battery industry maturing , the global expansion of EVs will continue, although declining battery prices and slowing demand will force automakers to res...

Autonomous driving technology is at the core of future transportation systems, and different approaches are being discussed to implement it. Among them, the module-based and end-to-end approaches represent two distinct design philosophies. The module-based approach follows a traditional methodology where autonomous driving functions are divided into independent modules—perception, prediction, planning, and control—emphasizing stability and interpretability . On the other hand, the end-to-end approach leverages a single AI model to process raw input data and generate final driving commands directly, focusing on integrated optimization and simplification . Understanding the characteristics and suitability of these two approaches is crucial for the successful implementation of autonomous driving systems. Module-Based Approach The module-based approach structures autonomous driving into discrete functional blocks, allowing each module to be independently designed and optimized. This me...

The concept of robotaxis has emerged as an integral part of autonomous driving discussions, and various initiatives are being undertaken to demonstrate and test self-driving vehicles. In this post, we explore eight cities in Asia and the Middle East that are making significant strides in autonomous mobility. The selected cities are Beijing, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. These cities, spanning China, Japan, Singapore, and the UAE, are actively shaping the future of autonomous driving through ambitious policies, pilot programs, and commercial services. 1. Beijing, China Beijing has positioned itself as a frontrunner in autonomous driving through extensive testing and commercialization efforts. In July 2022, the city launched China’s first pilot program for commercial robotaxi services, enabling Baidu and Pony.ai to deploy 30 self-driving vehicles in a 60-square-kilometer area. By October 2024, Beijing expanded its autonomous driving test area to 3...

  Why is Geopolitics Important? Geopolitics plays a crucial role in understanding international politics, economics, and military strategy . It is the study of how geographical factors influence power relations and global order , shaping foreign policy, military planning, and economic decisions . The significance of geopolitics can be seen in several key aspects: 📌 Read more: NASA Earth Science 1. Geography and National Strategy A country's location and natural resources dictate its security, economic options, and diplomatic decisions . ✔ Coastal nations benefit from trade and naval defense , while landlocked countries face logistical and security challenges. ✔ Resource-rich countries leverage their commodities for economic and strategic influence, while resource-poor nations must develop diplomatic strategies to secure essential materials. 2. Balance of Power in International Relations Geopolitical importance drives competition and cooperation among great powers. ✔ Halfor...

  1. Historical Background Understanding the relationship between Denmark and Greenland requires a deep dive into history. As the world’s largest island, Greenland is home to just 56,000 people and remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark . However, the two regions have taken a unique historical journey that has shaped their current and future ties. 📌 Read more: BBC Article Viking Era and Early Exploration Greenland’s history traces back 4,500 years , when the Inuit first settled in the region . However, it was only in the late 10th century that the Western world discovered Greenland —thanks to Viking explorers from Norway and Iceland . 🚀 One of the most notable figures was Erik the Red , an Icelandic Viking exiled in 982 AD , who later established the first Nordic settlement in Greenland . He named the island “Greenland” to make it sound more appealing to settlers, despite its harsh, icy terrain. The Norse settlers relied on farming, fishing, and livestock to survive. Howe...

  SpaceX Achieves Major Milestones and Faces New Challenges On January 16, 2025 , SpaceX conducted the seventh test flight of Starship , marking significant progress in its development while also encountering notable challenges. The mission provided crucial data for the future of the Starship program , solidifying its role in cost-effective space exploration and long-term deep-space missions . 📌 Watch the full launch video: YouTube Link Launch Details and Objectives The test flight took place on January 16, 2025, at 22:37 UTC (4:37 PM CST) from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas . The mission utilized Booster 14 (Block 1) and Ship 33 , with Block 2’s upper stage debuting for the first time —a major milestone in structural design, avionics, and payload capacity improvements. 🔹 First Objective: Super Heavy Booster Recovery One of the mission’s primary goals was the successful recovery of the Super Heavy booster . After launch, the booster executed a precise return ...

  As Trump’s Second Term Begins, What’s Next for DOGE? With Donald J. Trump’s second term set to begin on January 20, 2025 , one of the most intriguing developments is the role of Elon Musk in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) . This informal initiative, co-led by Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy , aims to identify and reduce wasteful federal spending . Musk’s physical presence near the White House suggests a close advisory relationship with the new administration. According to reports, DOGE may be housed within the Eisenhower Executive Office Building , granting Musk remarkable access to Trump and key government officials. Will Musk Have an Official Role in the White House? Though DOGE is not an official government department , its operation raises legal and ethical concerns . Musk could be appointed as a Special Government Employee (SGE) , a designation that allows experts to serve in temporary roles without being subjected to full federal employment re...

  DeepSeek: China’s AI Breakthrough and the Role of Government Support China’s AI industry has been expanding rapidly, driven by strong government backing and aggressive corporate innovation . At the center of this revolution is a wave of companies developing large-scale AI models , with DeepSeek emerging as one of the most disruptive players. While relatively unknown, DeepSeek has made headlines globally with its groundbreaking model, DeepSeek R1 , which shocked the AI industry with its exceptional performance at a cost 27 times lower than competitors —and more importantly, it was released as open-source . This move is not just a milestone for one company but a paradigm shift in AI accessibility and innovation. AI Innovation Amid U.S. Sanctions DeepSeek’s rise is particularly striking given the U.S. government’s long-standing restrictions on high-performance AI chips for China , citing national security concerns. Training and running AI models require enormous computational power...

About the Author: Drytree (Jaehoon Lee) I am a senior researcher specializing in deep tech startups, technology commercialization, and R&BD strategy at a national research institute in South Korea. With a deep curiosity about the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on society, I have been writing under the pen name Drytree since 2021, aiming to make complex technological trends more accessible and foster informed discussions on innovation and policy. My academic background is diverse, spanning Political Science (B.A.), International Politics (M.A.), and currently, a Ph.D. in Technology Management & Entrepreneurship . I have published 13 academic papers in domestic and international journals, covering topics such as patent analysis, technology security, and industrial policy . Books & Publications I have authored several books exploring technology, startups, and geopolitical implications of innovation , including: Elon Musk’s DOGE: The Dawn of a New Economic Exper...