America’s leadership in emerging technologies is hanging in the balance, and there’s no time to waste in instituting our national talent strategy. Last month, the Reagan Institute’s 2023 National Security Innovation Base Report Card gave the Talent Base a problematic D+ score, emphasizing the pressing urgency of addressing this issue. As China hastily moves forward with cutting edge projects such as their own AI counterpart – the ERNIE Bot – the US is being left behind unless we move fast in securing a sustainable talent base.
At the head of this call for action is the Reagan Institute’s report card, a comprehensive assessment that covers a variety of metrics, including federal and state spending on apprenticeships, career and technical education, public-private collaborations, research with societal implications, and foreign talent pipelines. However, the Achilles Heel of the current Talent Base is the fact that the domestic NSIB talent pool is aging and lacking in diversity, coupled with decreasing enrollment from foreign sources and visa limitations for foreign professionals.
There is no single solution to this problem, but Congress has indicated that they are serious in finding one. In 2020, Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act, targeting billions towards the onshoring of critical technologies like semiconductors and hundreds of billions in science research. Also, members of both parties have discussed new laws to stimulate public-private sector collaboration, like expanding Pell Grants to private training programs andincentivizing employers to train with grants.
Yet, even more than graduates with STEM degrees are needed in this new economy, as skilled technicians are just as essential. Unfortunately, funding for career and technical education has been declining, prompting a cry for increased federal and state investment. On the immigration front, the approach ought to be balanced – while competition with China requires a robust domestic workforce, tapping into top global talent is integral to bolstering our strength in the war for technological dominance.
The outlook for America’s leadership in emerging technologies is uncertain but far from impossible. We still have a considerable competitive edge, but it is expected to decline without a sweeping strategy to create a dynamic workforce proficient in the latest technologies. Luckily, congressional leaders are actively seeking solutions and pushing the boundaries of innovation; now, it’s up to all of us to take their intentions and turn them into meaningful actions that can literally reshape the way the world works.
The American Compass Think Tank is a leading institute that specializes in the intersections of emerging tech, national security and public policy. Founded in 2019, the Think Tank is composed of professionals who have extensive experience in economics, government, public policy, international relations and business. The Think Tank has released multiple studies and reports, contributing to public debates, congressional discourse and crafting policy.
Jake Sullivan is the National Security Advisor for President Biden. He has a long track record of public service, having served as the National Security Advisor for Vice President Biden, and as Deputy National Security Advisor and later National Security Advisor for the Obama White House. He has written several articles, advocating for stronger diplomatic efforts to combat emerging threats and maintain America’s dominance among global competitors.
