US Launches $200M Edge AI Initiative for Indo-Pacific Smartphones
The US Department of State has announced the initiation of a competitive process aimed at awarding up to $200 million in foreign assistance funding. This funding is intended to support programs that will expedite the deployment of secure, high-quality, and affordable handheld smartphone devices throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The US State Department has issued a statement expressing its desire for innovative proposals aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of next-generation smartphones in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically those operating on trusted systems such as Android and iOS, facilitated by the Edge AI Package. This will guarantee that the next billion internet users are incorporated into a software ecosystem that is open, interoperable, and focused on innovation.
This initiative propels the Pax Silica vision of a thriving, interconnected Indo-Pacific by equipping millions with developer tools for AI innovation and entrepreneurship. It also offers a market-based alternative to high-risk vendors, countering the price distortions of untrusted providers while fostering a reliable AI software stack—a vital element of US initiatives to guarantee that the digital infrastructure of our partners stays secure, autonomous, and free from coercion. “Interested parties should email EdgeAI@state.gov to request additional information and technical requirements. The submission window will remain open for 90 days. Provision of funding is contingent on the availability of funds and Congressional notification,” the statement read.
Pax Silica is a US-led initiative that was launched in December 2025 with the aim of securing the global AI and semiconductor supply chain while reducing dependence on non-aligned nations. The alliance comprises the US, Japan, South Korea, and other reliable partners, with the objective of ensuring that advanced AI is retained within democratic nations. India is poised to join Pax Silica in February 2026, a development regarded as a “historic milestone”. India offers a vast talent pool, burgeoning semiconductor aspirations, and a strategic position, guaranteeing that New Delhi is included in the discussions shaping the “architecture of the 21st century.”
