FCW Insider: IT advice for the next president

Computerworld asked a handful of information technology luminaries to give advice to the next president on IT priorities.

Most of the bigwigs discussed technology as potential leverage in the global economic market, although a few sources talked about government's use of IT. Here is a sampling of what they said. To read the complete article, click here.
 
Universities and national labs must be allowed to engage with industry on translating research results into commercial products. (Henry Chesbrough, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley)

Charge DARPA with development of new, lightweight, strong materials for automobile, air- and spacecraft bodies. (Vinton Cerf, Internet pioneer)

I propose that a new president re-establish the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee. This, combined with a strong science/technology adviser to the president, would provide the White House with much-needed help in technology policy. (David Farber, Carnegie Mellon University)

...[It] is essential to get our brightest young scientists and technologists to intern in Washington. That requires a change in the attitudes of all levels of government and academia to recognize and reward these people for their services to the nation. (Farber)

Double, over a 10-year period, the federal investment in fundamental research by key science agencies. Essentially every aspect of IT upon which we rely today traces its roots to federally sponsored research. (Ed Lazowska, University of Washington)

I would recommend to a new administration that it work with Congress to eliminate or limit earmark funding for science, restore the long-term risk-taking parts of DARPA to its 1970s/1980s form, and fund the American Competitiveness Initiative. (Rick Rashid, Microsoft)