The Memory Wars: AI Memory, Network Effects, and the Geopolitics of Cognitive Sovereignty
arXiv preprint, 2508.05867
Abstract
The advent of continuously learning AI assistants marks a paradigm shift from episodic interactions to persistent, memory-driven relationships. This paper introduces the concept of "Cognitive Sovereignty" — the ability of individuals, groups, and nations to maintain autonomous thought and preserve identity in the age of powerful AI systems that hold deep personal memory. It argues the primary risk transcends traditional data privacy to become an issue of cognitive and geopolitical control. The paper proposes "Network Effect 2.0," a model where value scales with the depth of personalised memory, creating cognitive moats and unprecedented user lock-in. It analyses the psychological risks (cognitive offloading, identity dependency) via the extended-mind thesis and scales them to geopolitical threats including a new form of digital colonialism and the subtle shifting of public discourse. The work proposes a policy framework centred on memory portability, transparency, sovereign cognitive infrastructure, and strategic alliances.
Notes
Solo-authored 2025 preprint that coins Cognitive Sovereignty as a geopolitical concept and introduces Network Effect 2.0 for AI memory moats. Foundational paper of the Cognitive Sovereignty trilogy; the discourse anchor for nation-state-level AI policy on memory, autonomy, and digital colonialism.
How to cite
@misc{brcic2025brcic,
author = {Mario Brcic},
title = {The Memory Wars: AI Memory, Network Effects, and the Geopolitics of Cognitive Sovereignty},
booktitle = {arXiv preprint, 2508.05867},
year = {2025},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.05867},
}