WASHINGTON, D.C. — August 12, 2026 — The United States Department of State has announced a new initiative aimed at strengthening the security and efficiency of global supply chains supporting the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry.
The Pax Silica AI Assistance Project will seek to develop an AI supply chain credentialing and provenance platform designed to make it easier and faster to move critical goods, including semiconductors, AI infrastructure and critical minerals, through trusted partner countries.
The initiative was unveiled by US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg during the Second Pax Silica Summit held in Washington, D.C., on June 25 and 26.
According to the State Department, the project will be supported through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), with the US government seeking to commit up to $50 million in foreign assistance funding to the programme.
Panama to host pilot phase
The project will initially be implemented as a pilot programme in Panama, with the proposed platform working alongside the country's port and customs authorities.
The system is intended to improve the credentialing and tracking of goods moving through the supply chain, helping trusted partners process critical products more efficiently while strengthening supply chain security.
The US Department of State said the technology could eventually transform how participating countries handle the movement of high-value goods that are essential to the global AI economy.
If the Panama pilot proves successful, the second phase would extend the platform to other countries and economies participating in the Pax Silica initiative.
Focus on critical AI materials
The proposed platform is expected to cover several categories of products considered essential to the development and expansion of artificial intelligence.
These include:
- Semiconductors
- AI infrastructure
- Critical minerals
- Other products supporting the AI economy
By introducing a credentialing and provenance system, the project aims to improve confidence in the origin and movement of these products while reducing delays associated with international transshipment.
The initiative also reflects growing efforts by governments to secure the supply chains behind advanced technologies as demand for AI infrastructure continues to increase.
US backs project with proposed $50 million investment
The funding proposal represents a significant financial commitment by Washington towards strengthening international AI supply chain infrastructure.
The State Department said the proposed investment demonstrates that the United States intends to support its trusted partnerships with concrete resources and initiatives rather than relying solely on diplomatic cooperation.
The project is also expected to strengthen cooperation between the United States, Panama and other participating Pax Silica partners as countries seek greater resilience in strategic technology supply chains.
Applications open to interested bidders
Organisations interested in participating in the project have been invited to apply through the Pax Silica Artificial Intelligence Assistance Project Notice of Funding Opportunity.
The application deadline is August 20, 2026, and the State Department said the deadline is firm and will not be extended.
Potential bidders seeking clarification about the funding opportunity have been directed to contact PaxFund-NOFO-DL@state.gov.
The official announcement was issued by the Office of the Spokesperson of the US Department of State on August 12, 2026.
What the Pax Silica AI project means
The initiative comes as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly dependent on secure access to semiconductors, computing infrastructure and critical minerals.
By starting with Panama and potentially expanding to other Pax Silica economies, the United States is seeking to establish a trusted digital framework for identifying and tracking strategic AI-related goods as they move across international supply chains.
If successfully implemented, the project could provide participating countries with a common mechanism for improving supply chain visibility, speeding up the movement of critical products and strengthening confidence in the provenance of goods supporting the global AI economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Source: US Department of State — Pax Silica AI Assistance Project NOFO
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