United States pressures nations to choose between U.S. and Chinese AI frameworks

The United States is preparing to demand that dozens of nations choose between American-led and Chinese-led artificial intelligence frameworks. An internal draft from the U.S. State Department suggests that countries participating in both spheres may be excluded from U.S.-led coalitions.

The U.S. initiative, Pax Silica, focuses on securing supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, energy, and AI infrastructure. While 24 economies have formally signed the Pax Silica Declaration—including members of the EU—the U.S. is now targeting 35 signatories of the broader ‘AI Opportunity Statement’ to prevent them from engaging with Chinese alternatives.

China has established the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO), headquartered in Shanghai, which currently includes 29 members primarily from the Global South, such as Russia, Brazil, and various African and Asian nations.

Kazakhstan has emerged as a key focal point, as it is currently the only known country to have joined both the Pax Silica and WAICO frameworks. This dual involvement has raised concerns in Washington regarding the potential for nations to leverage critical mineral supplies to serve both competing interests.