The ‘Pax Silica’ declaration, signed by the EU, Germany, Greece, and 16 other nations, aims to create a collective technological supply chain, excluding countries like China. Spearheaded by US Under Secretary Jacob Helberg, a former Palantir advisor, the initiative is criticized for consolidating US dominance in AI and potentially benefiting defense tech companies like Palantir, while undermining European digital sovereignty.

• The ‘Pax Silica’ declaration is a US initiative involving 19 signatories, including the EU, Germany, and Greece, aimed at securing the global AI supply chain.
• The pact seeks to reduce dependencies on nations deemed competitors, implicitly targeting China, and protect sensitive technologies.
• Critics, including France, argue that ‘Pax Silica’ undermines national digital sovereignty by deepening reliance on US technology and infrastructure.
• Palantir, a defense technology company with ties to initiative leader Jacob Helberg, stands to benefit from increased access to computational power and raw materials for its AI and autonomous weapons systems.
• The initiative is framed as a collective economic security measure but is seen by some as an imperialist resource grab benefiting the US and its defense industry.
• China has not directly addressed ‘Pax Silica’ but previously condemned similar US-led tech alliances as attempts to dominate the global supply chain.
• Some signatories, like the Philippines, face nationalist concerns that their involvement could lead to retaliation from China due to their role in the US AI military supply chain.