# What Is the American SI Exports Program?

> The U.S. program that promotes exports of American AI technology, renamed SI in 2026: how it works, who applied, what designation brings, and what changed.

Canonical: https://sibuilders.io/guides/american-si-exports-program  
Last updated: 2026-10-24

SI Builders Editorial · Published October 24, 2026

The American SI Exports Program is a U.S. Department of Commerce program that helps American companies sell **complete AI technology packages** abroad, from chips and data centers to models and applications, with government advocacy, export-licensing priority and help reaching federal financing. It was launched as the **American AI Exports Program** and took its new name after [Executive Order 14434](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/), which told federal agencies to say "Super Intelligence" instead of "AI."

The rename changed the label, not the program. "SI" here is the federal label for AI, so the packages are the same AI hardware, cloud, models and software the program was built to promote. Nothing in them is Super Intelligence in the research sense. Our guide on [Super Intelligence vs AI](https://sibuilders.io/guides/super-intelligence-vs-ai) explains the difference.

## At a glance

| Fact | Detail | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Created by | Executive Order 14320, July 23, 2025 | [Executive order](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202500790/html/DCPD-202500790.htm) |
| Run by | Commerce's International Trade Administration, with State, War, Energy and the White House science office reviewing proposals | [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-begins-inaugural-call-proposals-american-ai-exports-program) |
| What it does | Designates industry-led consortia that offer "full-stack" AI packages to foreign buyers | [Federal Register](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/10/2026-06952/american-ai-exports-program-call-for-proposals-for-pre-set-consortia) |
| First call | April 1 to June 30, 2026 | [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-begins-inaugural-call-proposals-american-ai-exports-program) |
| Applications | 78 | [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/commerce-statement-application-conclusion-next-steps-american-ai-exports-program), July 2026 |
| Designations | None announced as of October 24, 2026 | SI Builders check of Commerce announcements |
| Renamed | American SI Exports Program, by October 20, 2026 | [Nextgov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/10/state-department-orders-super-intelligence-wording-across-all-official-communications/416703/), [siexports.gov](https://siexports.gov/) |
| Website | siexports.gov (aiexports.gov redirects there) | [siexports.gov](https://siexports.gov/); redirect checked by SI Builders, Oct 24, 2026 |

## Where it came from

The program was set up by [Executive Order 14320](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202500790/html/DCPD-202500790.htm), "Promoting the Export of the American AI Technology Stack," signed on July 23, 2025, alongside the White House's AI Action Plan. The order calls AI "a foundational technology that will define the future of economic growth" and sets a policy to "preserve and extend American leadership in AI" while reducing other countries' reliance on AI technology from U.S. adversaries.

It gave the Secretary of Commerce 90 days to create the program, working with the Secretary of State and the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. It also gave the State Department a coordinating role over money: the Economic Diplomacy Action Group, chaired by the Secretary of State, is to line up federal financing tools such as direct loans, loan guarantees, equity, political risk insurance and technical assistance behind priority packages.

## How it works

**Full-stack packages.** The program does not back single products. It designates **consortia**, groups of companies that together offer a complete stack. The [April 2026 call for proposals](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/10/2026-06952/american-ai-exports-program-call-for-proposals-for-pre-set-consortia) defines five layers:

1. AI-optimized hardware, including data center storage, cloud and networking
2. Data pipelines and labeling systems
3. AI models and systems
4. Security and cybersecurity
5. Sector-specific or functional AI applications

**Two kinds of consortium.** A *pre-set* consortium is a standing team that can deliver the whole stack and keeps a ready-made offering for any buyer. An *on-demand* consortium is assembled for a specific deal the program identifies and covers only the layers that deal needs. The first call, which ran from April 1 to June 30, 2026, was for pre-set consortia; the on-demand track is still marked ["coming soon"](https://siexports.gov/si-consortia).

**Who can apply.** Each consortium names an **anchor member**, which submits the proposal and is the program's single point of contact. The anchor must be organized under U.S. law with its main place of business in the United States. The call sets further conditions:

- no member, subcontractor or local partner may be based in, or majority-owned from, a "country of concern";
- hardware should be at least 51 percent U.S. content by value;
- AI model owners should be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. persons, with a separate path for open-weight models;
- in exceptional cases, a foreign "national champion" company can take part, but only in packages aimed at its own country.

**Review.** Commerce aims to check a proposal for completeness within 14 business days and decide on designation within 60 days after that, following review with the Departments of State, War and Energy and the White House science office.

**What designation brings.** A designated package can receive priority government-to-government advocacy, opportunities to be presented at program events, priority consideration in export-control matters, and faster routing to federal financing agencies. The Federal Register notice is explicit about what designation **does not** guarantee: an export license, financing or insurance, any particular advocacy, a foreign buyer's choice or a contract. Elsewhere it states that designation confers no antitrust immunity and that proposal costs will not be reimbursed.

## Timeline

| Date | What happened | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 2025 | Executive Order 14320 creates the program | [Executive order](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202500790/html/DCPD-202500790.htm) |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Commerce announces implementation and a request for information | [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-announces-american-ai-exports-program-implementation) |
| Dec 16, 2025 | Commerce announces the end of the request-for-information phase, thanking "hundreds of respondents" | [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/commerce-statement-rfi-phase-conclusion-next-steps-american-ai-exports-program) |
| Jan 2026 | Commerce plans a national AI center in San Francisco | [Bloomberg](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2026/01/29/856031.htm) |
| Mar 2026 | The center opens; Commerce announces the call for proposals | [Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/07/new-ai-center-works-to-bridge-government-and-ai-industry/), [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-announces-new-american-ai-exports-program-phase) |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Application window opens | [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-begins-inaugural-call-proposals-american-ai-exports-program) |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Rules published in the Federal Register | [Federal Register](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/10/2026-06952/american-ai-exports-program-call-for-proposals-for-pre-set-consortia) |
| Jun 30, 2026 | Application window closes | [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-begins-inaugural-call-proposals-american-ai-exports-program) |
| Jul 6, 2026 | Commerce reports 78 applications | [ITA](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/commerce-statement-application-conclusion-next-steps-american-ai-exports-program) |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Executive Order 14434 directs agencies to use "SI" | [Executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/) |
| By Oct 20, 2026 | Program operating as the American SI Exports Program at siexports.gov | [Nextgov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/10/state-department-orders-super-intelligence-wording-across-all-official-communications/416703/), [siexports.gov](https://siexports.gov/) |

## Who applied

Commerce received [78 applications](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/commerce-statement-application-conclusion-next-steps-american-ai-exports-program) in the first round and said each would be reviewed against the published criteria before the Secretary of Commerce issues "final designation determinations" after interagency consultation. It has not published the applicants. Amazon Web Services has confirmed it is one, and an official said several small companies also applied, [ProMarket reported](https://www.promarket.org/2026/10/22/the-american-ai-exports-program-risks-stifling-smaller-competitors/). On the rules' own timetable, a complete proposal filed by the June 30 deadline would have expected a decision well before now. We have found no announced designations as of October 24, 2026.

## The rename

The State Department confirmed the new name in a department-wide cable in October, which says the American AI Exports Program is now the American SI Exports Program, citing an earlier cable, [Nextgov/FCW reported](https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/10/state-department-orders-super-intelligence-wording-across-all-official-communications/416703/). The program's website now describes it as the ["national accelerator for Super Intelligence (SI) business opportunities,"](https://siexports.gov/) the old aiexports.gov address redirects to siexports.gov (checked by SI Builders on October 24, 2026), and Commerce's San Francisco office appears as the [National SI Center](https://www.trade.gov/national-si-center), "the primary national gateway for American Super Intelligence (SI) companies."

What did not change:

- **The legal basis.** Executive Order 14320 is still titled "Promoting the Export of the American AI Technology Stack." Executive Order 14434 does not require existing presidential actions or regulations to be rewritten.
- **The rules.** The eligibility criteria, review clocks and benefits are those published in the Federal Register in April under the old name. We found no new notice.
- **The technology.** Under Executive Order 14434, "SI" means what the statutory definition of AI already covers. A designated "SI package" is a package of AI technology.

The renaming has not been entirely consistent. The State cable says the published titles of existing presidential actions and programs, such as America's AI Action Plan, keep their names. Commerce's National SI Center page, however, describes the center and the exports program as implementing "President Trump's SI Action Plan." Our [tracker of agency changes](https://sibuilders.io/research/federal-agencies-ai-to-si) records this and other renamings.

## The debate

Supporters present the program as a way to win markets with trusted American technology. Announcing the call for proposals, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said ["By promoting full-stack American solutions, we are strengthening our economic and national security,"](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-begins-inaugural-call-proposals-american-ai-exports-program) and White House science adviser Michael Kratsios described it as turning "President Trump's vision for sharing a trusted, sovereign AI stack with the world into action."

Critics have raised two concerns. Writing in [ProMarket](https://www.promarket.org/2026/10/22/the-american-ai-exports-program-risks-stifling-smaller-competitors/), Virginia Tech researcher Javaid Sofi argues that because anchor firms choose their partners, "The program's design risks favoring large American tech firms," and proposes opening the on-demand track and publishing consortium membership. From Europe, Maximilian Gahntz of the [Global Public Policy Institute](https://gppi.net/2026/08/20/what-the-american-ai-exports-program-means-for-europe) argues that the program is aimed mainly at countering Chinese influence in the Global South, and that European governments should decide which parts of the AI stack they want to depend on.

## Open questions

- **When will designations come, and who gets them?** Commerce has not given a date or said how many it will make.
- **When will the on-demand track open?** It is the route most likely to include smaller firms.
- **Will the program's formal documents be reissued under the new name?** So far the rename is on the website and in State's cables, not in the Federal Register.
- **What happens to contracts and financing documents?** The State cable excluded contracts and grants from the rename pending further guidance.

## How this page is maintained

Every claim links to a dated source, preferring the program's own announcements and the Federal Register. We say when a fact comes from reporting rather than from Commerce. This page was first published on 2026-10-24 and is updated when Commerce announces designations, opens a new call or changes the rules. Corrections and additions, with sources, to corrections@sibuilders.io.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the American SI Exports Program?

The American SI Exports Program is a U.S. Department of Commerce program that helps American companies sell complete AI technology packages abroad, from chips and data centers to models and applications, with government advocacy, export-licensing priority and help reaching federal financing. It was created by Executive Order 14320 on July 23, 2025 as the American AI Exports Program and is run by Commerce's International Trade Administration.

### Why was the American AI Exports Program renamed?

The American AI Exports Program became the American SI Exports Program after Executive Order 14434 of September 29, 2026 told federal agencies to say "Super Intelligence" instead of "AI." By October 20, 2026 it was operating under the new name at siexports.gov, and a State Department cable confirmed the rename, Nextgov/FCW reported. The rename changed the label, not the program: "SI" here is the federal label for AI, and nothing in the packages is Super Intelligence in the research sense.

### How does the American SI Exports Program work?

The American SI Exports Program designates industry-led consortia that together offer a "full-stack" package across five layers: hardware and cloud, data pipelines, AI models, security, and applications. Each consortium names a U.S.-based anchor member that submits the proposal. Commerce aims to check proposals for completeness within 14 business days and decide on designation within 60 days after that, following review with the Departments of State, War and Energy and the White House science office.

### What does designation under the American SI Exports Program give a company?

Designation under the American SI Exports Program can bring priority government-to-government advocacy, presentation at program events, priority consideration in export-control matters, and faster routing to federal financing agencies. The April 2026 Federal Register notice says designation does not guarantee an export license, financing or insurance, any particular advocacy, a foreign buyer's choice or a contract. Designation also confers no antitrust immunity, and proposal costs are not reimbursed.

### Who has applied to the American SI Exports Program?

Commerce received 78 applications in the first round of the American SI Exports Program, whose call for proposals ran from April 1 to June 30, 2026, but it has not published the applicants. Amazon Web Services has confirmed it is one, and an official said several small companies also applied, ProMarket reported. SI Builders found no announced designations as of October 24, 2026, and Commerce has not given a date for them.

## Sources

1. [American SI Exports Program](https://siexports.gov/) - U.S. Department of Commerce, 2026-10-24
2. [SI Consortia](https://siexports.gov/si-consortia) - U.S. Department of Commerce, 2026-10-24
3. [Executive Order 14320: Promoting the Export of the American AI Technology Stack](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202500790/html/DCPD-202500790.htm) - GovInfo, 2025-07-23
4. [Department of Commerce Announces American AI Exports Program Implementation](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-announces-american-ai-exports-program-implementation) - International Trade Administration, 2025-10-21
5. [Commerce Statement on RFI Phase Conclusion, Next Steps of the American AI Exports Program](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/commerce-statement-rfi-phase-conclusion-next-steps-american-ai-exports-program) - International Trade Administration, 2025-12-16
6. [Commerce Department Plans National AI Center in San Francisco](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2026/01/29/856031.htm) - Bloomberg (via Insurance Journal), 2026-01-29
7. [Department of Commerce Announces New American AI Exports Program Phase](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-announces-new-american-ai-exports-program-phase) - International Trade Administration, 2026-03-16
8. [Department of Commerce Begins Inaugural Call for Proposals for American AI Exports Program](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/department-commerce-begins-inaugural-call-proposals-american-ai-exports-program) - International Trade Administration, 2026-04-01
9. [American AI Exports Program; Call for Proposals for Pre-Set Consortia](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/10/2026-06952/american-ai-exports-program-call-for-proposals-for-pre-set-consortia) - Federal Register, 2026-04-10
10. [New AI center works to bridge government and AI industry](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/07/new-ai-center-works-to-bridge-government-and-ai-industry/) - Federal News Network, 2026-07-01
11. [Commerce Statement on Application Conclusion, Next Steps of the American AI Exports Program](https://www.trade.gov/press-release/commerce-statement-application-conclusion-next-steps-american-ai-exports-program) - International Trade Administration, 2026-07-06
12. [What the American AI Exports Program Means for Europe](https://gppi.net/2026/08/20/what-the-american-ai-exports-program-means-for-europe) - Global Public Policy Institute, 2026-08-20
13. [Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence (Executive Order 14434)](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/) - The White House, 2026-09-29
14. [State Department orders 'super intelligence' wording across all official communications](https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/10/state-department-orders-super-intelligence-wording-across-all-official-communications/416703/) - Nextgov/FCW, 2026-10-20
15. [National SI Center](https://www.trade.gov/national-si-center) - International Trade Administration, 2026-10-15
16. [The American AI Exports Program Risks Stifling Smaller Competitors](https://www.promarket.org/2026/10/22/the-american-ai-exports-program-risks-stifling-smaller-competitors/) - ProMarket, 2026-10-22