The US Department of Commerce plans to announce $100 million in funding for research into artificial intelligence-based semiconductors

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Wednesday plans to award $100 million to expand the use of artificial intelligence in developing new, sustainable semiconductor materials, news agency Reuters reported.

The U.S. Department of Commerce oversees $52.7 billion in U.S. chip production and research grants. According to the report, they plan to award $100 million to help universities, national labs and the private sector develop autonomous AI-based experiments for sustainable semiconductor production.

On October 2, the United States also welcomed Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on his first visit to the United States after the Modi 3.0 government took office. PTI said Jaishankar met his US counterpart Antony Blinken to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation, the situation in West Asia and recent developments in the Indian subcontinent, the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraine.

Welcoming Jaishankar, Blinken said: “I think it’s a reflection of the value that both countries place on this partnership – a partnership in so many different areas, including strategic sectors of technology, space, semiconductors, clean energy, where our countries are increasingly they are more likely to work together and create new opportunities for people both in India and the United States, but also more broadly around the world. Of course, given the key role India plays on the international stage, working for peace, stability and security, we are also doing more and more together here,” according to the news agency’s report.

This marks a move by the United States to promote artificial intelligence and semiconductors at home and collaborate with other countries such as India.

According to an ANI report, Jaishankar met US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on October 1 to discuss sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals, trusted partnerships and supply chain resilience.

“We discussed semiconductors, iCET, critical minerals, trusted partnerships and supply chain resilience. Appreciate the progress we are making in our technology cooperation and economic partnership,” Jaishankar said in a post on the X social media platform.