US State Department Launches $500 Million AI Supply Chain Security Programme Under Pax Silica Framew

WASHINGTON — The United States Department of State announced on August 12 the launch of a new AI Supply Chain Security Programme under the Pax Silica framework — an initiative announced at the second Pax Silica Summit held in Washington on June 25-26. Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Perlberger unveiled the programme at the summit, which frames computing power, silicon, minerals and energy as shared strategic assets. The State Department, working with Congress, is committing up to $500 million in foreign assistance to strengthen global AI supply chain security through the development of an AI supply chain certification and traceability platform. The platform will accelerate the movement of semiconductors, AI infrastructure, critical minerals and related products through participating Pax Silica nations and economies. The programme will launch as a pilot with Panama's port and customs authorities, implementing the AI supply chain certification platform at the Panama Canal. If the Panama pilot proves successful, a second phase will extend the platform's coverage to other Pax Silica member states and economies. The Pax Silica framework — a US-led alliance dedicated to ensuring economic security in the AI era — counts Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom among its members. The State Department published a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on August 12, with an August 20 deadline for bids. Applications are being accepted through the Pax Silica Artificial Intelligence Assistance Project Opportunity Listing. The NOFO deadline is final and will not be extended. Interested bidders may contact the State Department at PaxFund-NOFO-DL@state.gov.