When the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) first took effect in the EU, global legal and regulatory discourse heavily focused on the so-called ‘Brussels effect’. Recently, however, as AI takes the centre stage, the imperative for sovereign AI has emerged as a new defining catalyst. In response, the US is actively asserting control over cross-border data flows on national security grounds – such as through bulk data transfer rules – while tightening oversight on advanced AI models following events like the Mythos Preview incident. Concurrently, China seeks to extend its strategic influence through initiatives like the World AI Cooperation Organization, while Asian nations, including Japan, Singapore and South Korea, are pioneering diverse frameworks to accelerate domestic AI innovation. As the prospects for a harmonised global AI governance framework remain uncertain, legal professionals must step up to serve as essential navigators through this increasingly complex policy and regulatory landscape.