The US Challenges Its Allies: Pick a Side in the AI Cold War
The US is about to force its allies into a difficult decision: aligning with either American or Chinese AI ecosystems, but not both. This shift is outlined in a leaked State Department letter sent to 35 partner nations that signed the "AI Opportunity Statement" in June.
“To be part of everything is to be part of nothing,” the draft reads. “Signature of the Pax Silica Declaration is not merely a membership subscription, but a commitment.”
Pax Silica, an initiative aimed at securing supply chains for AI models, semiconductors, and critical minerals, is the mechanism behind this ultimatum. Benefits include access to shared AI investment opportunities, while countries that sign up to China’s competing framework will be excluded.
Currently, only Kazakhstan sits in both camps, a position that may soon become unsustainable. A US official summarized the reasoning:
“It’s 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.”
This move comes amid growing competition in the AI market, with Chinese open-weights challenging proprietary American systems. China (find out more) has also established the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), an open alternative to Pax Silica.
The situation mirrors the Huawei 5G pressure campaign, where allies were forced to choose sides. However, not everyone agrees with this approach; Mark Zuckerberg, for instance, argues against blocking Chinese AI models, believing bans can backfire. Europe, caught in the middle, has long advocated for "strategic autonomy."