미국, AI 동맹국에 ‘미·중 양자택일’ 요구 추진…한국도 대상

The United States has reportedly been urging its AI cooperation allies, including South Korea, to avoid participating in an AI collaboration body led by China. This move comes as the American government drafts a letter, according to Reuters, stating that involvement in a China-led partnership may lead to exclusion from the American-led AI alliance.

The letter, written by U.S. officials and the State Department, targets the 35 countries that signed the 2022 "AI Opportunity Statement." This includes countries participating in the "Pax Silica" program, such as South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Kazakhstan. The program aims to build a supply chain centered around the U.S. and its allies, focusing on AI models, semiconductors, and critical minerals, to reduce dependence on countries like China.

China recently launched its own AI cooperation organization, led by National Security Committee Chairman Xi Jinping, in response to the U.S.-led initiative. China seeks to create a collaborative framework centered around its open AI models, challenging the U.S.-focused ecosystem. Kazakhstan, with its rich mineral resources, was the first Central Asian country to join the "Pax Silica" program, but later expressed support for China's model as well.

Only Kazakhstan is known to participate in both initiatives. The drafted letter emphasizes that joining "Pax Silica" is not a mere membership but a "commitment," stating that participation in both the American-led AI alliance and the Chinese-led model is mutually exclusive. While not naming China directly, the U.S. government made it clear that they cannot coexist with a China-led AI cooperation body.

The letter does not specify a date for its dispatch, as the U.S. government awaits confirmation on its timing or potential revisions.