The intersection of geopolitics and technological innovations: implications for the Central-European region

The thesis examines the effects of emerging technological innovations shaping contemporary geopolitics, through their impact on the economy, society, and international relations, with special focus on Hungary and the Central European region. It explores how modern geopolitical theories have evolved over the years and what leading scholars have proposed with regards to the phenomenon of innovation and emerging technologies. The thesis is an article-based dissertation, which includes three published scientific journal articles, that analyse specific findings on subtopics related to the broader scheme of geopolitics and innovation, such as China’s growth prospects in the Fourth Industrial Revolution; the phenomenon of disinformation warfare aided by novel technologies in the Central European region; and the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions disrupting industries, and creating economic and social inequalities examined in the Hungarian context. The study wishes to make a contribution to the existing body of research by delving into a contemporary and relatively under-explored topic, offering a consistent theoretical and conceptual foundation and applying an innovative research approach. The thesis finds that there is a need to adapt geopolitical narratives to reflect a world system that is moving away from the traditional model of exclusive state actors and is characterised by global interconnectedness and the advancement of technology. The findings of the individual articles in the thesis suggest that this transformation will fundamentally change the way society lives, works, and progresses, and that those who are able to embrace the change will prosper. The relevance of the theoretical ambition of the thesis can be described as the significance of emerging technologies from a geopolitical viewpoint, due to these technologies’ potential to shape the future of international relations and the global economy. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, the internet of things, or ...