While most discussions about AI and developing nations fixate on risks and challenges, we often overlook the glaringly obvious opportunities. As Ronaldo Lemos (林纳德) has previously argued, the Global South’s renewable energy potential offers unique advantages in the AI value chain that remain largely untapped. This becomes even clearer with new data showing that U.S. data center emissions have tripled since 2018, now consuming 4.59% of national energy. Meanwhile, abundant renewable energy resources across the Global South remain overlooked – an extraordinary opportunity in the global race to capture value in the AI supply chain.
“Powershoring” - leveraging clean energy infrastructure to attract AI investments – presents a strategic opportunity for countries like Kenya, Morocco, and Brazil, to name a few. With vast renewable energy reserves, these nations are uniquely positioned to support next-generation AI infrastructure while offering a sustainable alternative to traditional data center hubs, where carbon intensity remains stubbornly high. Yet, as governments focus primarily on downstream AI applications and regulatory frameworks, this competitive advantage continues to go underutilized. The window of opportunity is open – but it won’t stay open forever.