Artificial intelligence aims to create machines with humanlike intelligence. Often it is based on machine learning, in which computers search for patterns in vast amounts of data. AI is a powerful tool. The speed of its advances is even shocking its programmers. If a national leader understood this technology enough to harness its powers, that nation would have a significant advantage technologically and militarily.

AI is the future, Europe has decided. Global superiority in AI sciences would provide a great advantage in multiple fields. Former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said AI is “something Europe could shape.”

Germany is working harder than most to take advantage of this technology. The nation already ranks second in national use of AI by companies; Microsoft is investing billions of dollars to double its AI capacities in Germany.

But Germany cannot become AI-dominant on its own. It needs semiconductors (or microchips). For this, Berlin must turn to a tiny island thousands of miles away, which happens to be one of the most volatile places on Earth.

Taiwan and AI

Taiwan is the global semiconductor superpower and may be a major key to Europe’s plans.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (tsmc) makes all the world’s advanced AI chips. Nvidia controls up to 75 percent of the AI chip trade—its chips all come from tsmc. Google, amd, Amazon, Microsoft, Cerebras, SambaNova and Untether also use tsmc chips.

tsmc puts the “AI” in Taiwan. Only two other companies in the world—Samsung and Intel—can make microchips close to its standard. Only tsmc can reliably make the best chips. The entire world is greatly dependent on Taiwan because of this.

This is problematic because Taiwan is under constant threat of Chinese invasion, which could jeopardize the nation’s chip production. Though some countries have upped domestic semiconductor production because of this, it is unlikely anyone will catch up with tsmc’s advanced chips anytime soon.

So what if Taiwan falls to China?

There are two main ways for China to take Taiwan: military invasion or blockade. In the first case, tsmc’s chip fabrication plants would almost surely be destroyed. But the second option—which appears more likely—could preserve those plants.

Many analysts believe a peaceful takeover would not give China control over tsmc because Taiwan is merely one player in the global network that is chip trade. A recent act signed by United States President Joe Biden prohibits any country working with America—the most important player in the semiconductor network—from affiliating with China’s chip market in any way.

This may look impossible. But China has shown itself capable of adapting and advancing in ways that have confounded analysts countless times over the decades. And Bible prophecy reveals China and Germany will soon be partners in a near-global trade alliance against America.

Europe in Prophecy

If China gains control of tsmc, it will have to turn the worldwide market away from America and toward itself to maintain superiority in the market.

For years, we have forecast a temporary alliance will form between Europe and China. If China took Taiwan, it would need fresh customers. Europe’s need for chips may be so great that it would do business with China.

Isaiah 23 and Ezekiel 27 prophesy of this coming alliance, referred to as “a mart of nations” (Isaiah 23:3). By learning the biblical identities of the peoples mentioned, one can prove that these chapters are talking about Asia (Chittim, Meshech, Tarshish, Togarmah, Tubal) and Europe (Assyria, Chaldea, Tyre, Javan). Because of the influence Asia and Europe have in Latin America, it will likely join this trade alliance. Ezekiel 27:6 specifically mentions “the company of the Ashurites [Germany]” manufacturing with materials “brought out of the isles of Chittim [China]” in the context of this alliance. (For a full explanation of this prophecy, read “The Great ‘Mart of Nations.’”)

One of our longest standing forecasts is the rise of a European superpower. Revelation 17 prophesies of the Holy Roman Empire, saying it would come to power seven times. Its final rise “is not yet come” (verse 10). This final resurrection will comprise of a unit of “ten kings” (verse 12).

This prophecy connects to the prophecy of “ten kings” found in Daniel. (For a thorough explanation, read our free booklet Daniel Unlocks Revelation.) Daniel 8:23 says: “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.”

This king will be the top leader in this coming alliance. For decades, the Trumpet and its predecessor, the Plain Truth, have warned this leader will rise in Germany. The German connection becomes especially interesting when you consider the prophecy that this king will understand “dark sentences.” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explained this phrase:

The expression “dark sentences” comes from the word haidah, which means riddle, difficult, question, parable (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament). I believe this expression could also mean difficult technology. Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon defines “dark sentences” as “twisted, involved, subtlety, … fraud, … enigma.” To many today, AI is such an enigma.

Several prophecies indicate the connection between AI and “dark sentences.” Any aspiring power wants access to the latest technology. Europe must maintain its semiconductor intake even if Taiwan falls to China. This mart of nations could allow this to happen.

To learn more about this coming alliance, read Chapter 7 “Building Toward a World Catastrophe” in our free book Isaiah’s End-Time Vision.