According to an internal draft document and information provided by an American official, the United States is preparing to inform dozens of countries that they must choose sides in the AI competition with China.
The United States also warns that if these countries join China's competitive framework, they will be excluded from the AI alliance led by the United States.
This letter, drafted by the U.S. Department of State, is addressed to the 35 signatories who signed the U.S. “Artificial Intelligence Opportunities Statement” in June. The statement includes non-binding members of the “Silicon Peace” framework, as well as countries that express a willingness to maintain consistency with Washington in AI cooperation.
"Participation in everything equals not participating in anything. Signing the "Silicon Valley Peace Declaration" is more than just a membership subscription; it's a commitment." The letter urges nations to be "cautious and thoughtful" regarding AI, "not simultaneously embracing those repetitive proposals that clash with our own values."
This letter does not specifically mention China.
Reuters is unable to determine when the United States plans to send this letter, or whether its content may be changed before delivery. The draft does not indicate a date.
An anonymous U.S. official revealed that U.S. officials drafted this letter with the intention of emphasizing that certain countries should not be able to benefit from both sides.
In December last year, representatives from the United States and several other countries launched the “Silicon Peace” initiative. State Department of the United States
Washington launched the "Pax Silica" initiative last year, aiming to secure the supply chains of AI models, semiconductors, and critical minerals in order to counter fierce technological competition with China. Reports indicate that more than 20 countries have joined this initiative.
In July, China proposed the establishment of the “World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization”. Representatives from 29 countries signed an agreement, becoming founding members of the organization.
Reports mention that Kazakhstan is the only country known to have joined both initiatives so far, which has sounded an alarm in Washington.
The competition between China and the US in technological leadership has reached a critical moment. Chinese AI models are developing rapidly, and China holds a dominant position in many key mineral fields. Reuters believes that the US aims to cut off China’s resources in this AI race by forcing countries to take sides.
Currently, the United States is accelerating the establishment of technological barriers and implementing highly exclusive technical rules. This strategy of creating “high walls within small courtyards” not only increases the risk of factionalization in global technology governance but also seriously threatens the global open innovation ecosystem.
In this context, China officially proposed the establishment of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian once stated that the initiative to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization is another vivid practice of China's efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind and implement global governance initiatives. China is willing to work together with all parties, in accordance with the purposes of the United Nations Charter, adhering to the concept of joint consultation, joint construction, and joint benefits, and upholding the principle of putting people first. China will strengthen the coordination of development strategies, governance rules, and technical standards in artificial intelligence, promote international cooperation and global governance in artificial intelligence, and ensure that artificial intelligence develops in a healthy and orderly manner in a beneficial, safe, and fair direction.
