US to Force Countries to Choose Sides in AI Race with China
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the globe, the United States is preparing to tell dozens of countries that they must pick sides in the highly competitive artificial intelligence (AI) race with China. According to a US official and an internal draft reviewed by Reuters, the US will be warning countries that if they join China’s competing AI framework, they will be excluded from a US-led AI coalition.
The AI Rivalry Heats Up
The US launched the Pax Silica initiative last year, aimed at securing supply chains for AI models, semiconductors, and critical minerals. The move was a direct response to the fierce technology rivalry with Beijing. The initiative has already gained the support of about two dozen countries, including Kazakhstan, a key source of critical minerals that has also joined China’s coalition. Close US allies such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea have also joined the initiative.
Kazakhstan’s Dilemma
Kazakhstan is the only country so far known to have joined both the US and China’s AI initiatives. This has raised alarm bells in Washington, as it is seen as a potential threat to the US-led coalition. The US is now urging countries to “choose deliberately” on AI, warning that signature of the Pax Silica Declaration is not just a membership subscription, but a commitment to a specific vision for AI.
The Consequences of Choosing China
Joining China’s AI framework means that countries will be excluded from the US-led coalition. This is a significant move, as the US is hoping to starve China of resources in the AI race. The US is concerned that China’s open-weight AI models have made rapid gains against proprietary systems from US companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic. The exponential growth of AI’s capabilities has forced a global reckoning over its power.
China’s Response
China has responded to the US move by saying that it opposes politicizing trade and technology issues. An embassy spokesperson said that such actions will only stifle global AI advances and serve no one’s interests. The Kazakh embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.
The US Perspective
A US official told Reuters that the draft letter is intended to make clear that “you can’t have it both ways.” The official said that it is difficult to see how a country can credibly position themselves as trusted partners in one technology ecosystem while simultaneously signing up for an initiative designed by China to advance a competing vision for AI.
The Global Implications
The US move has significant implications for the global AI landscape. The AI rivalry between the US and China has reached a pivotal moment, and the consequences of choosing sides will be far-reaching. The US is hoping to reduce reliance on adversaries for critical minerals, AI models, and semiconductor chips, while China is weighing restrictions on overseas access to some of its leading AI models.
The Future of AI
The future of AI is uncertain, and the choices made by countries in the coming weeks and months will shape the global AI landscape for years to come. The US move is a clear indication that the AI rivalry between the US and China is far from over, and that the stakes are higher than ever before.