The United States is preparing to demand that dozens of countries choose between competing US- and China-led artificial-intelligence frameworks. Governments that join Beijing’s coalition would be shut out of the Washington-led alternative.
Washington established the Pax Silica initiative last year to secure the supply chains supporting AI models, semiconductor production and critical minerals as its technological rivalry with Beijing intensified.
Roughly two dozen countries have joined the initiative, including US allies Japan, Australia and South Korea. Kazakhstan, viewed as an important potential supplier of critical minerals, belongs to both Pax Silica and China’s competing coalition.
By forcing participating countries to align with one bloc, Washington is seeking to deny China access to resources needed to develop the most advanced AI systems. Pax Silica is intended to coordinate joint projects and export controls among US allies and partners while reducing their dependence on adversaries for AI models, chips and critical minerals.