Abstract. The purpose of this study is to comparatively analyze the evolution of cyberpower concepts as a key component of modern state power in order to identify their underlying paradigms.
The article analyzes key approaches to the study of cyberpower that have emerged since the early 2000s. It presents expert positions critically evaluating the Western approach to understanding cyberpower and examines the concept of “developmental cyberpower.” A comparative analysis of modern tools for measuring state cyberpower, such as the National Cyberpower Index of Harvard University’s Belfer Center and the methodology of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), is provided. The author notes that, despite the development of a number of indices, the scientific community lacks a unified definition and clear criteria for cyberpower. The debate continues to evolve, incorporating new factors, such as the role of artificial intelligence as a key technological enabler. In conclusion, the study of state cyberpower has evolved from a technical concept of security to a complex, multidimensional political and strategic category that is an integral part of the overall power of a state in the 21st century. At the same time, in a multipolar digital world, the need for a context-sensitive approach to defining and assessing state cyberpower is clear.
Keywords: digital power, digital strength, cyberspace, cyber sovereignty, information and communications technology, cyber powers, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence