ASEAN must navigate US-China AI rivalry: Panelists
Southeast Asia is caught between competing AI initiatives Pax Silica and WAICO.
Southeast Asia finds itself navigating a complex landscape as the United States and China engage in a fierce rivalry over artificial intelligence (AI). A panel of experts has highlighted how AI has transformed from a novel technology into a pivotal instrument of power, as exemplified by the competing AI initiatives Pax Silica and the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), led respectively by the US and China.
Ali Abdullah Wibisono, an associate professor of international relations at the University of Indonesia, explained that while the US-led Pax Silica aims to establish a global AI infrastructure supply chain, the Chinese-led WAICO focuses on enhancing its member countries' AI capabilities. Washington seeks to prevent unwanted entities from accessing advanced chips and semiconductor equipment, while Beijing aims for technological self-sufficiency.
Pax Silica, launched by the US in December 2025, currently has 24 signatories, including Singapore and the Philippines, both Southeast Asian nations. WAICO, established in July 2026 by China ahead of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, boasts 37 member states, including Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
