U.S. to tell partners they must pick sides in AI race with China

The U.S. is preparing to tell dozens of countries they must choose sides in the artificial intelligence race with China, warning they will be excluded from the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative if they also join Beijing's competing framework, according to a U.S. official and an internal draft. Pax Silica, launched last year, aims to secure supply chains for AI models, semiconductors, and critical minerals, and includes about two dozen countries such as Kazakhstan, Japan, Australia, and South Korea.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. is preparing to tell dozens of countries they must pick sides in the artificial intelligence race with China, warning they will be excluded from a U.S.-led AI coalition if they also sign up for Beijing’s competing framework, according to a U.S. official and an internal draft reviewed by reporters. Washington last year launched the Pax Silica initiative aimed at securing supply chains for AI models, semiconductors and critical minerals, amid a fierce technology rivalry with Beijing. About two dozen countries have joined, including Kazakhstan, a key potential source of critical minerals that has also joined China’s coalition, as well as close U.S. allies such as Japan, Australia and South Korea.