Trump’s ‘Tech Corps’ initiative transforms unpaid workers into promoters for Silicon Valley.
For over 60 years, the Peace Corps has been known as an agency focused on aiding underserved communities worldwide. Yet, a new initiative, the “Tech Corps,” risks altering the agency’s mission by enlisting Silicon Valley promoters to boost major AI brands, many linked to President Donald Trump.
Founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Peace Corps recruited Americans to assist developing countries in sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture. Originally, it aimed to win over countries during the Cold War. Now, it seeks to promote US-made AI tools to “enhance opportunity and prosperity” in these regions.
The Tech Corps will enlist volunteers to support the adoption of American AI. Qualifications are broad; volunteers need a degree in STEM fields or relevant experience.
The program will place volunteers in countries within the American AI Exports Program, aiming to help foreign enterprises partner with or buy American AI. Assignments include integrating AI-powered systems in hospitals and identifying educational service gaps AI can fill.
Kelsey Quinn from the New Lines Institute notes that while technology involvement isn’t new for the Peace Corps, the Tech Corps supports specific American AI product adoption instead of general digital skill development.
Previous Peace Corps tech initiatives included teaching STEM skills in Zambia, Thailand, and Albania, alongside communication technology training in Vanuatu. However, the Tech Corps links its support directly to American AI systems bought by developing countries, depending on sales through the American AI Exports Program.
The Tech Corps appears to benefit the AI industry alongside the American AI Exports Program. Trump has backed data center plans by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank and discouraged AI regulation laws.
The US government’s aid system has shifted drastically under Trump, with the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development leading to significant health crises. Plans to cut aid to several African countries have emerged.
There are doubts on whether the Tech Corps will meet its objectives. China’s Digital Silk Road initiative already bolsters its AI systems’ adoption in various nations. Meicen Sun from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign believes Tech Corps members will face competition from established Chinese presence.
Chinese AI models are cheaper and operate on local infrastructure. Their growing presence challenges the Tech Corps, which lacks strong institutional backing due to recent cuts, potentially deterring target countries.
Ultimately, the administration’s goal appears aligned with satisfying Big Tech partners.