The United States is reportedly preparing to tell countries involved in its technology partnerships that they may have to choose between Washington and Beijing in the global AI race. The proposed move reflects growing concern in Washington about China's expanding influence over AI development, supply chains and international technology partnerships.
The message is expected to be delivered through a letter from the US State Department to countries participating in the Pax Silica initiative, a US-led partnership focused on securing supply chains for advanced technology, semiconductors and critical minerals.
Pax Silica includes several important US partners, including Japan, Australia and South Korea. Kazakhstan is also part of the initiative, but its participation in China's newly established World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization has raised concerns in Washington.
The underlying assumption in this US stance is that countries cannot engage in competing technology partnerships and still maintain the same level of trust with Washington. According to the draft statement, signing up for the US program means making a strategic choice, and not just participating in another international partnership.
The latest development shows how the competition between the US and China is moving beyond technology companies and research laboratories. Access to advanced chips, computing infrastructure, critical minerals and supply chains has become increasingly important to both countries' technology strategies.
China's progress in open-weight AI models added another dimension to the rivalry. These models can be distributed more widely and adapted by developers, potentially helping Chinese technology gain a larger international user base.
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The implications for US allies and partners in technology would be major under the new proposed policy framework. Many nations have business ties with both the US and China, complicating matters further.
The case of Kazakhstan, which is involved in programs from the US and China, shows this. Other nations could also opt to collaborate with both parties instead of committing themselves exclusively to one particular technology ecosystem.
The US, however, appears increasingly determined to make its partnerships more strategic. The move could ultimately reshape global technology partnerships, particularly if more countries are forced to choose between the US-led and China-led technology ecosystems.