The United States is preparing to warn dozens of countries that they could be excluded from a US-led artificial intelligence coalition if they also join a competing framework backed by China, according to a US official and an internal draft reviewed by Reuters.
Washington launched the Pax Silica initiative last year to strengthen supply chains for artificial intelligence models, semiconductors and critical minerals amid intensifying technological competition with Beijing.
Around two dozen countries have joined the initiative, including Kazakhstan, which has significant reserves of critical minerals and has also joined China’s rival AI framework. Other participants include close US allies such as Japan, Australia and South Korea.
The draft letter, prepared by the US State Department, is addressed to the 35 countries that signed a US “AI Opportunity Statement” in June. The group includes countries participating in the non-binding Pax Silica framework as well as others seeking closer cooperation with Washington on artificial intelligence.
The proposed US approach reflects Washington’s effort to limit China’s access to resources and technologies needed to develop advanced AI systems, which could have significant military and economic applications.
In July, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, promoting China’s open-weight AI technology as an alternative to US influence in the sector.
Kazakhstan is currently the only country known to have joined both initiatives, raising concerns in Washington.
“To be part of everything is to be part of nothing. Signature of the Pax Silica Declaration is not merely a membership subscription, but a commitment,” the draft letter says, urging countries to “choose deliberately” on AI.
“It cannot be held alongside membership in duplicative initiatives whose expectations conflict with our own,” the letter says, without directly naming China.
Reuters could not determine when Washington plans to send the letter or whether its contents could change before it is issued. The draft was undated.
The State Department declined to comment on what it described as “purportedly leaked internal documents.”
The Pax Silica initiative seeks to encourage US allies and partners to develop joint projects and coordinate export controls, while reducing reliance on potential adversaries for critical minerals, AI models and semiconductor chips.
Washington highlighted Kazakhstan’s participation in June, describing it as the first Central Asian country to join Pax Silica and pointing to its significant reserves of critical minerals used in advanced technologies.
By Sabina Mammadli
