Washington, February 20 – In a significant boost to US-India tech collaboration, Deputy Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg arrived in India to participate in the prestigious India-AI Impact Summit. Helberg, leading alongside White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, heads a high-level American delegation attending the event on February 20 and 21.
The summit serves as a crucial platform for advancing bilateral economic ties, particularly in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. During his visit, Helberg is scheduled to engage in key bilateral meetings and deliver a keynote address. His speech will underscore the importance of deepening US-India partnerships in AI and related fields, highlighting the launch of the next phase of the US AI Exports Program as part of the broader AI Action Plan.
This initiative aims to propel AI innovation across partner nations. Beyond the summit, the US Department of State has announced a competitive process to allocate up to $200 million in foreign assistance. The funding targets accelerating the deployment of secure, high-quality, and affordable handheld smartphone devices throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Through the Edge AI Package, the department seeks innovative proposals to enhance the competitiveness of next-generation smartphones running trusted operating systems like Android and iOS. The core objective is to connect the next billion internet users in the region to an open, interoperable, and innovation-driven software ecosystem.
This effort empowers millions via AI-driven developer tools and entrepreneurship, aligning with the Pax Silica vision for a prosperous and interconnected Indo-Pacific. By promoting market-based alternatives, it reduces dependency on risky vendors, mitigates price manipulation by untrustworthy providers, and fosters a reliable AI software framework.
Ultimately, these US-led initiatives ensure that partner countries maintain secure, autonomous digital infrastructures free from external pressures, strengthening regional technological sovereignty in an era of rapid digital transformation.