Are We Left Behind? A Qualitative Analysis of Political Debates and Media Narratives on the Global South's Role in AI Governance

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) presents prospects for economic growth, with projections estimating $15 trillion contribution to the global economy by 2030 according to PwC. However, this projected benefit will undoubtedly favor countries with well-developed AI ecosystems optimized for domestic applications, global market expansion, and governance influence. Unfortunately, geopolitical tensions between the Global North and Global South further exacerbate imbalances in AI development, transition and adoption. A notable example is the United States' strategic restrictions on the export of American-manufactured processor technologies to China, while selectively granting exemptions to certain allied nations. Similarly, the recent misgivings over China's DeepSeek AI reflect broader uncertainties of technological dominance and AI governance. Going past national AI strategies, ensuring fair and constructive governance of AI remains critical to preventing its weaponization by dominant states for undue advantage. Consequently, the framing and political discourses surrounding Global South's potential and role in the AI lifecycle warrant deeper interdisciplinary analysis. Hence, the st1Jdy employs a qualitative approach, combining thematic analysis and critical discourse analysis to examine: (a) how political debates and media coverage frame Global South's role (particularly China and Africa) in AI lifecycle and global governance, and {b) whether or not [and how] existing power structures: perpetuate asymmetries and reinforce dependency on dominant Al powers. It applies the framing theory and postcolonial theory to dissect embedded power dynamics and dominant narratives of Global South's place
and influence in Al governance. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to ongoing engagements for a more balanced AI future.