{
  "id": 1155731,
  "title": "US to tell partners they must pick sides in AI race with China",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/us-to-tell-partners-they-must-pick-sides-in-ai-race-with-china",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-16T00:10:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/08/1511962/us-tell-partners-they-must-pick-sides-ai-race-china"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States is preparing to inform a number of nations that they must choose between joining a US-led AI coalition or aligning with China's competing framework, according to a US official and an internal draft obtained by Reuters. The US launched the Pax Silica initiative last year to secure AI supply chains and combat the rivalry with Beijing. About two dozen countries have joined the initiative, including potential sources of critical minerals such as Kazakhstan, which is also part of China's coalition, as well as close US allies like Japan, Australia, and South Korea. The draft letter, addressed to the 35 signatories of a US AI Opportunity Statement, urges countries to make a \"deliberate choice\" on AI, stating that membership in both initiatives is contradictory. The US fears that allowing countries to join both would provide China with resources in the competition for the most advanced AI technology, which could impact military or economic dominance. China recently launched a rival World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, promoting its open-weight technology as a challenge to US influence. Kazakhstan is the only country currently known to be part of both initiatives, raising concerns in Washington.",
  "summary": "WASHINGTON: The US is preparing to tell dozens of countries they must pick sides in the artificial intelligence race with China, warning they will be excluded from a US-led AI coalition if they also sign up for Beijing’s competing framework, according to a US official and an internal draft reviewed by Reuters.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "US to tell partners they must pick sides in AI race with China",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/us-to-tell-partners-they-must-pick-sides-in-ai-race-with-china-1149199",
        "published": "2026-08-15T23:32:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}