Peace Corps announced a new initiative called Tech Corps designed to recruit, train, and deploy skilled Americans to support the adoption of artificial intelligence in host countries. The program is aimed specifically at Peace Corps partner countries participating in the American AI Exports Program, a “whole-of-government” effort that the announcement says was introduced by Donald Trump in July 2025 to promote U.S. AI technology and its benefits internationally.
According to the release, Tech Corps’ purpose is practical and community-facing: volunteers will work with local partners to apply “American AI” to solve “real-world grassroots problems” in key sectors including agriculture, education, health, and economic development. The agency positions this as a modern extension of Peace Corps’ long-running model—pairing American skills with community priorities—updated for a moment when governments increasingly view AI capability as both an economic opportunity and a strategic tool.
The initiative was first unveiled publicly during a speech by Michael Kratsios, described as the White House Office of Science and Technology Director, at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, before the Peace Corps made it official through this launch announcement.
A core argument in the statement is that AI adoption—not just AI invention—is the bottleneck. The agency says the ability to implement AI “last mile” is what determines whether communities see real gains in productivity, economic growth, and quality of life. Tech Corps is pitched as a capacity-building mechanism: volunteers will help communities build technical skills, support adoption across “critical use cases,” and address barriers that prevent AI from moving from pilots and demos into daily operations.
Leadership emphasized both national positioning and local impact. Acting Peace Corps Director Richard E. Swarttz said volunteers have been innovators since 1961 and argued that Tech Corps will help place the United States “at the forefront” of delivering AI’s benefits to partner countries. He framed the program as a way to expand opportunity and prosperity by pairing U.S. technical talent with community-defined problems.
Tech Corps also differs from the traditional two-year service model by offering flexible formats. The announcement says volunteers may serve 12–27 months in person overseas or participate through a virtual placement. For overseas service, the Peace Corps says it will provide typical supports such as housing, healthcare, a living stipend, and a service award upon completion. The agency explicitly encouraged STEM graduates and professionals with AI backgrounds to apply, directing interested candidates to sign up for more information via its Tech Corps page.
