
HIGHGround
China and US push Southeast Asia over their AI blocs. Will it test region’s non-alignment?
🌍 GlobalAug 21, 2026 15:00SRC: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POSTBY: Dewey Sim,Laura Zhou
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Southeast Asian leaders have long insisted they will not be forced to pick sides in the great-power rivalry between the US and China. But their posture is about to be further tested. This time, the battleground is AI. While Washington wants the region locked into Pax Silica – its bid to build a China-free artificial intelligence supply chain – Beijing wants its neighbours to join China’s own World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (Waico). Sources told the South China Morning Post
DETAILED REPORT
Southeast Asian leaders have long insisted they will not be forced to pick sides in the great-power rivalry between the US and China. But their posture is about to be further tested.
This time, the battleground is AI. While Washington wants the region locked into Pax Silica – its bid to build a China-free artificial intelligence supply chain – Beijing wants its neighbours to join China’s own World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (Waico).
Sources told the South China Morning Post...
AI THREAT SCORE46/100