How AI will remake the rules of international trade

WHEN it comes to international trade and investment, artificial intelligence (AI) will create some obvious winners and losers. It’s the second-order effects that may prove more interesting.

To understand those, start with two premises: First, AI services will consume a lot of energy, not all of which will be green. Second, many nations will regulate either the use of AI, or the implementation of AI-derived goods and services, for instance the creation of new pharmaceuticals or new educational techniques.

Let’s consider each of these factors in turn.