Technological sovereignty and cultural defense: differential paths of AI English education policies in China and Russia

Abstract

The global diffusion of generative AI, exemplified by ChatGPT, has sparked strategic competition over educational sovereignty and cultural security. Framed by the dual lenses of technological sovereignty and cultural defense, this study contrasts China’s open innovation model with Russia’s defensive substitution paradigm in AI-powered English education governance. China promotes rapid AI integration through national policy incentives, digital education initiatives, and extensive public-private collaborations, constructing an efficiency-driven and globally connected smart education ecosystem that emphasizes adaptability and innovation. In contrast, Russia adopts a cautious approach rooted in legislative isolation, algorithmic transparency mandates, and cultural filtering to ensure data sovereignty and linguistic authenticity, thereby fostering a closed, techno-nationalist ecosystem. This comparative analysis reveals how divergent governance trajectories embody the fundamental tension between technological empowerment and sovereignty preservation in digital education. The findings provide critical insights for balancing efficiency and security within global AI governance, particularly in maintaining cultural integrity amid rapid technological transformation.