Global Treaty Signed for 'Sovereign AI' Data Borders

BRUSSELS — In ahistoric move to protect digital sovereignty, forty nations have signed the 'Brussels Accord.' This landmark treaty establishes that a nation's data is a natural resource, akin to oil or minerals, and cannot be extracted by foreign AI companies without explicit bilateral agreements. The treaty mandates that AI companies must host and process the personal data of a country's citizens within that nation's physical borders. "We are moving from an open-web era to a sovereign-cloud era," says Lead Negotiator Sofia Rossi. This shift is expected to trigger a massive investment in local data centers across the Global South and Europe. Tech giants have expressed concern that the "splinternet" will slow down innovation, but proponents argue it is the only way to ensure that the economic benefits of AI-driven insights remain local rather than being siphoned off to a few global tech hubs. Connectivity tariffs for non-compliant companies will begin in January.