Department of State Launches Edge AI Package for the Indo-Pacific

Today, the U.S. Department of State is proud to announce the launch of a competitive process to award up to $200 million in foreign assistance funding to support programs to accelerate the deployment of secure, high-quality, and affordable handheld smartphone devices across the Indo-Pacific region.

Through the Edge AI Package, the Department seeks innovative proposals to improve the competitiveness of next-generation smartphones in the Indo-Pacific region running on trusted operating systems (Android/iOS), ensuring that the next billion internet users there are integrated into an open, interoperable, and innovation-forward software ecosystem.

This initiative accelerates the Pax Silica vision of a flourishing, interconnected Indo-Pacific by empowering millions with developer tools of AI innovation and entrepreneurship. It also provides a market-based alternative to high-risk vendors, offsetting the price distortions of untrusted providers while promoting a trusted AI software stack—a critical component of U.S. efforts to ensure that the digital infrastructure of our partners remains 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 availability of funds and Congressional notification.