US Unveils Tech Corps Initiative to Promote AI Technologies Overseas
At the recent India AI Impact Summit, Michael Kratsios, technology and science adviser to former US President Donald Trump, announced the launch of the "Tech Corps" initiative. This program operates under the framework of the Peace Corps, an independent US government agency that dispatches American volunteers to assist with development projects in areas like education, healthcare, agriculture, and economic growth worldwide.
Tech Corps Aims to Provide Last-Mile AI Support
In a detailed blog post, Kratsios explained that the Tech Corps will embed volunteer technical experts with international partners to offer crucial last-mile support in deploying advanced AI applications. He emphasized that American AI technologies can unlock significant economic and social benefits across various sectors, including energy, education, manufacturing, medicine, transportation, and agriculture.
A dedicated website for the Tech Corps has been established and is currently accepting applications on a rolling basis. According to the Peace Corps, the AI solutions introduced through this initiative will tackle real-world grassroots challenges in key sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and economic development.
Structure and Deployment of Tech Corps Volunteers
The Tech Corps will mirror the Peace Corps model by recruiting, training, and deploying volunteers with strong technical backgrounds, including engineers and STEM graduates. These volunteers are intended to provide last-mile assistance for implementing American AI systems in partner countries, particularly at the application level.
Volunteers will be sent to nations participating in the American AI Exports Program, which was announced in July under a Trump administration executive order focused on global deployment of US-developed technologies. Service commitments range from 12 to 27 months overseas or through virtual assignments, with in-person deployments scheduled to commence in the fall of 2026. Similar to the Peace Corps, volunteers will receive housing, healthcare, a living allowance, and service awards upon completion of their assignments.
AI Sovereignty and International Partnerships
AI sovereignty, a central theme at the India AI summit, refers to a country's capacity to develop, manage, and regulate AI systems within its own legal, economic, and strategic frameworks. Speaking at the event, Kratsios highlighted that expanding access to US-developed AI technologies could help bridge the adoption gap between developed and developing economies. He stated, "Real AI sovereignty means owning and using best-in-class technology for the benefit of your people."
This announcement followed the US Commerce Department's confirmation of India's participation in the AI Exports Program. US officials noted that this program will package American hardware, cloud infrastructure, AI models, and cybersecurity controls into modular export offerings customized for partner countries. However, the complete list of participating nations has not been publicly disclosed.
India's Role and Additional Initiatives
India is also poised to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative, a Trump administration program focused on strengthening global supply chains for silicon-based technologies. Other core members include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Israel, the United Kingdom, Australia, Qatar, and the UAE.
During the summit, several American technology companies announced investments in India's AI infrastructure, building on previous funding commitments and aligning with the goals of the Tech Corps program. Alongside Tech Corps, the White House introduced additional measures, such as the National Champions Initiative, which aims to integrate selected foreign AI companies into tailored American AI export frameworks.
The US government also outlined efforts to help partner nations overcome financing barriers when importing the American AI stack, collaborating with institutions like the World Bank and the US International Development Finance Corporation.
