The United States government is launching a major initiative to deploy American AI and tech specialists abroad as part of a broader strategy to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence and counter China’s expanding influence in the technology sector. The program, dubbed the Technology Prosperity Corps, was announced on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and represents a significant expansion of the traditional Peace Corps mission into the realm of advanced technology.
Under the plan, up to 5,000 American science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduates and advisers will be sent to Peace Corps partner nations over the next five years to assist with adopting U.S. AI hardware and software. Recruitment and training are expected to begin this year, with an initial cohort of about 500 specialists aimed at helping countries build local capacity for AI deployment — from public services and education to infrastructure projects.
The initiative is explicitly designed to steer global AI adoption toward U.S. technologies and away from Chinese alternatives, reflecting broader geopolitical competition. Officials see this as a way to reinforce U.S. partnerships across the Global South, where China has invested heavily through programs like its Digital Silk Road and where Chinese tech companies have gained market share with lower-cost AI tools and services. In that sense, the new program extends U.S. soft-power diplomacy into the digital age.
Coordination will involve the U.S. State Department, the International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, and host-country ministries to match specialists with nations seeking help in building national AI strategies or operational capacity. In addition to field personnel, senior U.S. experts will provide remote mentorship and guidance to local teams — aiming to combine “last-mile” implementation support with strategic advice on AI governance and infrastructure.
