China and United States unveil rival AI cooperation blocs

China has launched the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) to train thousands of participants from developing nations, aiming to narrow the digital divide while extending Beijing’s influence in a manner likened to the Belt and Road Initiative. Experts note that adopting Chinese AI models and standards could deepen economic and technological links with China, creating a new knowledge‑intensive phase of its global outreach.

The United States, through the State Department’s Pax Silica initiative, is building a coalition to secure the $750 billion annual AI and semiconductor supply chain. Launched by Under Secretary Jacob Helberg, the alliance now includes 24 nations and seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese rare‑earth processing by coordinating trusted partners across extraction, manufacturing and materials. Key contributors include Japan for chemicals, South Korea for memory chips, and Australia for rare‑earth mining, with recent expansions adding the EU, Germany, the Netherlands and Argentina.