The United States is launching a new "Tech Corps" initiative, an extension of the Peace Corps, to provide artificial intelligence (AI) expertise to partner countries. This program will embed volunteers with specialized technical skills to offer "last-mile" support for AI application deployment.
The initiative aims to counter China's growing influence in global AI adoption, addressing concerns that Chinese AI models are becoming dominant in developing regions. The Tech Corps will collaborate directly with local institutions, assisting in areas such as integrating AI into education, co-developing AI models for national health services, and refining agricultural datasets.
The program is seeking graduates from STEM fields or individuals with AI backgrounds for missions lasting up to 27 months. Volunteers will receive housing, healthcare, a stipend, and service awards, with deployments potentially starting this fall. These volunteers will be sent to countries participating in the American AI Exports Program, established to support the export of US technology, including AI models and cybersecurity measures.
While no country has officially joined the AI exports program yet, India has been invited to participate. The US is also involved in the Pax Silica initiative, an agreement aimed at securing the global supply chain for AI technologies, with ten countries signed on. Additionally, the US announced a National Champions Initiative to integrate foreign AI companies into the US tech ecosystem.