White House launches tech corps to promote American AI abroad
Muhammad Naeem:
Islamabad: The White House has announced the creation of a new Tech Corps within the Peace Corps as part of efforts to bolster US influence in global artificial intelligence markets under President Donald Trump.
The initiative seeks to link American technology exports with one of the nation’s most established soft-power institutions.
The move comes amid intensifying competition with China over advanced technologies, particularly in developing economies where AI adoption is accelerating. The Tech Corps is designed to assist partner nations in deploying American-built AI systems while reinforcing U.S. leadership in digital infrastructure.
How the Tech Corps Will Work
Operating under the Peace Corps framework, the Tech Corps will focus on technical expertise. It aims to recruit engineers and graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to provide last-mile implementation support for American AI tools abroad. Volunteers will work at the application layer to address grassroots challenges in sectors such as agriculture, education, health, and economic development.
Service periods will range from 12 to 27 months, with virtual placements available. Volunteers will receive housing, healthcare, a living stipend, and service awards, similar to traditional Peace Corps assignments. Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis via a dedicated Tech Corps website.
Advancing American AI Exports
The Tech Corps will operate in countries participating in the American AI Exports Program, launched in July through a Trump administration executive order to maintain U.S. leadership in advanced technologies. The initiative also aims to counter the growing global reach of Chinese technology providers, whose low-cost, open-source AI solutions, such as Qwen3 and DeepSeek, have gained traction in developing markets.
While a complete list of participating nations has not been released, India is expected to join the AI Exports Program. The U.S. Commerce Department welcomed India’s participation last week.
Global Partnerships and Supply Chains
The Tech Corps was first outlined by Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, at the inaugural India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The summit emphasized AI sovereignty, highlighting countries’ control over the development and governance of AI within their legal and economic frameworks.
India is also participating in the Pax Silica initiative, a U.S.-led effort to secure global supply chains for silicon-based technologies. Core members include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Israel, the United Kingdom, Australia, Qatar, and the UAE. Several American tech firms announced fresh investments in India’s AI infrastructure at the summit, complementing the objectives of the Tech Corps and the AI Exports Program.
Alongside the Tech Corps, the White House unveiled a National Champions Initiative to integrate leading foreign AI companies into customized American AI export packages. Additional measures will assist partner nations in overcoming financing barriers for U.S. AI tools through institutions such as the World Bank and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
Together, these initiatives form part of a broader U.S. strategy to expand AI adoption globally while supporting domestic technology industries in partner countries.
