Could a Sovereign AI Model Save TikTok in the U.S.?

With TikTok facing increasing scrutiny in the United States, a pressing question emerges: Can a neutral third-party Global Systems Integrator (GSI) provide a governance model that satisfies both U.S. regulatory concerns and ByteDance’s interests? As a leader in Sovereign AI solutions, Eviden (an Atos company, headquartered in France) may be uniquely positioned to serve as the "Switzerland" of AI governance—offering a neutral, structured approach that ensures security, compliance, and operational continuity.

A Global Stalemate: TikTok’s Dilemma

TikTok’s operations in the U.S. have been the subject of ongoing scrutiny, primarily due to concerns over:

• National Security Risks – The fear that U.S. user data could be accessed by foreign governments.
• AI Algorithm Control – ByteDance’s proprietary recommendation system is its core competitive advantage, and it is subject to Chinese export restrictions.
• U.S. Regulatory Pressure – Lawmakers and agencies have demanded a clear separation from Chinese ownership, with some even pushing for an outright ban.

Given these factors, a complete divestiture is highly complex and unlikely to be approved by China. At the same time, TikTok needs an operational model that assures regulators in Washington while preserving its technological edge.

A Sovereign AI Governance Model: A Possible Solution?

Eviden, as a global GSI and a leader in Sovereign AI solutions, could offer a neutral governance framework that addresses these concerns. A potential solution could involve:

• Data Sovereignty Compliance – Hosting TikTok’s U.S. operations within an independent, secure cloud environment that ensures no unauthorized foreign access.
• Algorithm Licensing with Oversight – Retaining TikTok’s recommendation system without direct operational control from ByteDance, under strict auditable governance.
• Third-Party Security Audits – Ensuring transparency with U.S. regulators and cybersecurity authorities by implementing regular independent reviews.
• Joint Venture Structure – Establishing a U.S.-based operational entity, managed in partnership with TikTok but governed independently.

These measures align with existing Cloud GenOps with Responsible AI efforts but would go further in neutralizing security concerns while maintaining ByteDance’s commercial interests.

The Challenges: Why This Won’t Be Easy

While technically feasible, there are substantial challenges to this approach:

1. Would the U.S. Government Accept This?
2. Would China Approve the Transfer of AI Technology?
3. Would ByteDance Be Willing to Cede Operational Control?

Eviden’s Track Record: Proven Sovereign AI Leadership

This isn’t new territory for us. For over 20 years, Atos (and now sub-group Eviden) has been implementing sovereign AI and data governance solutions globally, working with:

• Governments and defense sectors to manage critical infrastructure and national security-sensitive AI.
• Large multinational corporations to implement data localization and compliance strategies across regions.
• Regulated industries (finance, healthcare, and public sector) that require secure, auditable AI solutions.
• Both Private Cloud (Dell) and Public Cloud (AWS, GCP, AZURE) hosting capabilities globally.

We’ve done this at scale, across continents, ensuring regulatory compliance in highly complex geopolitical landscapes.

The Switzerland of AI Governance

As a French-based global GSI, Eviden operates with neutrality and independence, making us an ideal candidate to bridge the gap between U.S. regulatory requirements and Chinese ownership concerns.

While there is no easy solution to TikTok’s predicament, a Sovereign AI governance model could offer a workable compromise—one that ensures security, regulatory trust, and technological continuity.

The question now is: Will the stakeholders be willing to explore this path?

Disclaimer: These are my own thoughts, not a parody, but a genuine exploration of what could be a viable solution. Would this model work in practice? Leave your thoughts in the comments.