What the next president should do to maintain global tech leadership

Maintaining the U.S. competitive edge in scientific and technological fields boils down to four key pillars, according to a new report published by nonprofit federal partner MITRE on Wednesday.

In evaluating the general science and technology landscape across the U.S., the report found that keeping the U.S. as a leader in critical industries hinges on the establishment of a specific office for public-private research; expanding domestic and international partnerships; mitigating research security risks; and developing and retaining a specialized workforce. 

MITRE’s publication comes as geopolitical tensions continue to mount and intersect with a rapidly changing technological landscape and the U.S. 2024 presidential elections. The report aims to advise the next White House administration on what steps to take to combat China’s strides in emerging technology spheres, namely artificial intelligence and biotechnology. 

The first step: establishing a U.S. S&T Competitiveness Council in the executive branch.

“The United States will do best if we lean into our own strengths as the world’s leading innovation ecosystem,” the report reads. “As many have noted, the solution is not to replicate what the [Chinese Communist Party] is doing. To increase our competitiveness, MITRE recommends the next administration issue an executive order that creates a public-private U.S. S&T Competitiveness Council within the White House that focuses on science, technology, innovation, and competitiveness.”

As a linchpin in MITRE’s proposed approach, the council would be tasked with driving policy on tech subjects alongside the existing Office of Science and Technology Policy, National

Security Council, National Economic Council and Office of Management and Budget. It would include bipartisan participation from congressional committees and have a designated legislative liaison presence. 

The idea for a new executive entity was originally conceived and presented by MITRE three years ago. 

“What’s missing is that trusted entity that can bring together all the various entities and activities to strategically work together more effectively,” MITRE  Senior Principal, S&T Policy Analyst Duane Blackburn told Nextgov/FCW. “Even the National Science and Technology Council, which is incredibly influential and beneficial, is still primarily focused on maximizing the federal government’s activities in these technologies.  We need the entire S&T community to work together more cohesively to succeed, and we believe an S&T Competitiveness Council is a way to support that in a way everyone would embrace.”

Fostering partnerships with private sector agencies is also a high priority in MITRE’s framework. The proposed S&T Competitiveness Council would coordinate these partnerships, particularly in regards to their communications, marketing and financial planning elements.

The report also touched on the need for the U.S. to lead in the crafting of global technology standards, a priority area federal officials have discussed previously. 

Noting the rise and risk surrounding more AI adoption and development, MITRE said that part of the U.S. role as a global technological leader is to mitigate the technology’s various risks. 

“Given the competing agendas on AI and its consequential impacts on the nation and

world, MITRE also recommends the United States lead on AI assurance to mitigate risks and assess the security, safety, and efficacy of AI systems,” the report said. 

Partnering with international allies is also expected to help consolidate a consensus on risk mitigation and standards. Noting that technological innovation is moving at an international level, MITRE said that strategic partnerships with like minded nations are also key to ensuring continued U.S. leadership in technology R&D. 

“Simultaneous with mitigating the risks of China’s rise, there are numerous opportunities to promote positive international collaboration,” the report says. It further cited ongoing multilateral partnerships with countries including Australia, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, among others, as positive examples to continue emulating. 

Blackburn added that while MITRE is continuing to advise the White House on policy direction for individual technologies, this paper focuses on foundational enhancements an administration can undertake. 

“By enhancing this foundation in a collaborative and strategically timed manner tailored to each technology’s needs, we can significantly improve our ability to advance these technologies compared to the status quo,” he said.