Key Points:
- US launches new AI funding and maritime technology push at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings
- Initiative includes a $20 million American AI fund for regional partner economies
- Washington promotes technology to curb illegal fishing in Pacific waters
- Moves occur amid intensifying US–China competition for technological and economic leadership
ISLAMABAD: The United States is advancing artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives and maritime surveillance technology at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum of 21 Pacific Rim nations, with aims to foster trade, investment, and economic growth.
The move is part of Washington’s broader strategy to strengthen technological partnerships and counter China’s expanding influence, according to Reuters.
Casey Mace, the U.S. senior official to APEC, announced that the United States has launched a $20 million fund to support the adoption of American AI technologies by partner economies in the region.
The initiative aims to deepen US engagement in high-tech markets across the Asia-Pacific ahead of upcoming diplomatic visits and the APEC leaders’ summit scheduled in Shenzhen in November 2026.
The US effort reflects growing competition with Beijing over AI, seen as central to future economic and military power.
US officials have framed their approach as promoting democratic governance in AI use, contrasting it with Chinese approaches, which they argue could be used for state surveillance and control.
In addition to AI, the United States is introducing maritime surveillance technologies to help address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, a concern for food security and sovereignty in smaller Pacific island states.
Demonstrated solutions include satellite tracking systems, AI-powered analytics, acoustic detection equipment, and sensor-equipped ocean buoys, which aim to strengthen regional capabilities as China operates one of the largest distant-water fishing fleets in the Pacific.
Analysts note that Washington’s dual focus on AI and fisheries technology underscores the intersection of high-tech competition and maritime security in US policy toward the Asia-Pacific, with an emphasis on reinforcing alliances and building capacity among member economies that collectively account for a significant share of global trade and GDP.
