The World is Flat: From Netscape to Artificial Intelligence

This article provides an insightful analysis of the evolution of the global order, based on Thomas Friedman's famous concept. The author traces the path from the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Netscape browser revolution, through the development of fiber-optic infrastructure, to the contemporary transformation driven by artificial intelligence. The text provides a detailed discussion of the mechanisms of "triple convergence," which led to the horizontalization of business structures and the democratization of access to knowledge. Analyzing the role of workflow software and XML and SOAP standards, the author demonstrates how technology has leveled the market playing field. The study also includes references to Dell's theory and the geopolitical challenges arising from the tension between global opening and isolationist tendencies. This is crucial reading for understanding how technological innovations are redefining contemporary supply chains and creating new opportunities for developing countries through the leapfrog effect.