The US is preparing to tell 35 partner countries they must choose between joining its Pax Silica initiative or China's rival AI framework. Countries cannot participate in both.
The United States plans to issue an ultimatum to dozens of allied nations: commit exclusively to the American-led Pax Silica initiative or face exclusion from the program.
According to sources and correspondence obtained by Reuters, the US will notify approximately 35 partner countries that dual participation—joining both Pax Silica and China's competing AI framework—is not permitted. The move signals a hardening stance in the escalating technological competition between Washington and Beijing over artificial intelligence standards and development.
Pax Silica, the US-backed initiative, aims to establish shared principles and standards for AI development among allied democracies. The framework focuses on advancing "trustworthy AI" while maintaining security safeguards aligned with Western technological interests.
China has developed its own parallel framework to promote alternative AI standards and foster closer technological ties with developing nations and emerging markets. Beijing's approach emphasizes sovereignty in data management and reduced reliance on Western technology platforms.
The forced-choice ultimatum reflects Washington's strategy to prevent middle-ground positioning among allies. By requiring exclusive participation, the US seeks to consolidate support around its AI governance model and prevent technological fragmentation that could benefit China.
The affected countries span multiple regions and economic levels, including both developed democracies and strategically important developing nations. Some countries had previously expressed interest in evaluating both frameworks before committing.
This development escalates tensions in the broader US-China technology rivalry, which encompasses semiconductors, cloud computing, and AI capabilities. The ultimatum approach may pressure some nations to make uncomfortable geopolitical choices, particularly those with significant economic ties to China.
Industry observers note the move could reshape global AI governance structures and influence which standards eventually gain international adoption. The outcome may determine whether AI development follows Western principles or fragments into competing regional ecosystems with divergent safety and ethical standards.
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