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US Launches $200M Edge AI Push to Counter China in Indo-Pacific Smartphones

The US State Department has launched a competitive process to award up to $200 million for programs accelerating secure and affordable smartphone deployment in the Indo-Pacific. The Edge AI Package aims to integrate the next billion users into a trusted software ecosystem, providing a market alternative to untrusted providers. This initiative advances the Pax Silica vision, a US-led alliance securing the AI and semiconductor supply chain among democratic partners. India is poised to join Pax Silica in 2026, bringing its strategic heft to the alliance.

Key Points: US Offers $200M for Secure AI Smartphones in Indo-Pacific

  • $200M funding for secure smartphones
  • Counters high-risk vendors & price distortions
  • Promotes trusted AI software stack
  • Part of broader Pax Silica alliance
2 min read

US State Dept launches Edge AI Package for Indo-Pacific

US State Dept launches $200M Edge AI Package to deploy secure smartphones and promote trusted AI software in the Indo-Pacific, countering high-risk vendors.

"ensuring that the digital infrastructure of our partners remains secure, autonomous, and free from coercion - US State Department statement"

Washington DC, February 20

The US Department of State announced the launch of a competitive process to award up to USD 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.

According to a statement, the US State Department seeks innovative proposals to improve the competitiveness of next-generation smartphones in the Indo-Pacific region running on trusted operating systems (Android/iOS) through the Edge AI Package. This will ensure that the next billion internet usersare 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 the availability of funds and Congressional notification," the statement read.

Pax Silica is a US-led initiative launched in December 2025 to secure the global AI and semiconductor supply chain and reduce dependence on non-aligned nations. The alliance includes the US, Japan, South Korea, and other trusted partners, aiming to ensure advanced AI remains with democratic nations.

India is set to join Pax Silica in February 2026, a move seen as a "historic milestone". India brings a massive talent pool, growing semiconductor ambitions, and a strategic location, ensuring that New Delhi has a seat at the table where the "architecture of the 21st century" is being designed.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
$200 million for smartphones in the Indo-Pacific sounds good, but will it actually reach the common people who need affordable devices? Sometimes these big funds get tied up in bureaucracy. Hope the process is transparent and the focus is truly on accessibility. 🤞
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Rohit P
"Market-based alternative to high-risk vendors" – clearly pointing at Chinese tech. While digital sovereignty is important, we must ensure this doesn't just mean swapping one foreign dependency for another. Indian companies should bid aggressively for these projects and build our own capacity.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see the US framing this around "trusted" software ecosystems. As an expat working in tech here, India's role in Pax Silica could be a game-changer. The talent pool here is incredible. This could accelerate local AI startups if the tools and funding are channeled correctly.
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Karthik V
The vision is good, but execution is everything. We've seen foreign aid programs before. The "next billion users" are in places like rural India. The proposals must focus on regional languages, low-data environments, and real utility, not just fancy AI features for urban elites.
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Meera T
Jai Hind! This is a strategic win. Aligning with democracies on tech secures our future. The focus on secure, affordable devices can boost digital literacy in villages. Our engineers and developers should grab this opportunity with both hands. Let's show the world what Bharat can do! 💪

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