The algorithmic “other”? AI as a new frontier for regional identity formation: Lessons from the EU and the Arab League

Abstract

This paper argues that the “Psychology of the AI Age” is not a universal shift, but rather is fundamentally shaped by pre-existing, historically constructed regional identities. By synthesizing Constructivist International Relations theory with Social Identity Theory (SIT), the research examines how the European Union (EU) and the Arab League utilize AI governance as a platform for identity performance. The analysis posits that the EU’s identity, defined as a cohesive, rules-based civic entity, drives an ethics-centric approach to technology. This is best seen in the EU AI Act, where the Union seeks to export its “digital sovereignty” as a global normative standard to build institutional trust. Conversely, the Arab League’s identity, marked by post-colonial legacies and internal fragmentation, results in a more reactive and securitized adoption of AI. This trajectory risks entrenching digital dependencies and prioritizing state security over individual autonomy. The paper concludes that AI has emerged as the “Algorithmic Other,” a new arena where states enact their deep-seated political selves. Understanding these psychological and institutional patterns is essential for predicting whether the global AI landscape will move toward unified solidarity or further geopolitical fragmentation.