The industry group TechNet calls for ramping up federal investments in “basic science, R&D, and workforce development” in its filing on priorities for the Trump administration’s national artificial intelligence research strategy.
“The unique and indispensable role the U.S. government plays in driving innovation, ensuring national security, and promoting the well-being of its citizens will only become more critical in the age of artificial intelligence,” TechNet says in May 29 comments signed by president and CEO Linda Moore, as the comment period closes today for feedback on updating the AI research strategy.
The National Science Foundation, on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, in April issued a request for public input on revising National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan, which was last updated in 2023.
Linda Moore, President and CEO, TechNet
The first AI research strategic plan was issued in 2016 under the auspices of the White House National Science and Technology Council and it was updated in 2019 under the first Trump administration.
The 2019 update was signed by current OSTP Director Michael Kratsios, then deputy director, and included a new element emphasizing the “increasing importance of effective partnerships between the Federal Government and academia, industry, other non-Federal entities, and international allies to generate technological breakthroughs in AI and to rapidly transition those breakthroughs into capabilities.”
TechNet in its comments for the upcoming version of the strategy says, “Strategic federal investments in R&D will be essential for the continuing development and deployment of AI, paving the way for groundbreaking solutions that can significantly improve products and services across industries and improve citizens’ daily lives.”
The tech group says, “Translating these R&D priorities into tangible advancements will require continued collaboration between government, academia, and industry, and we remain eager to partner with the administration in fostering innovation and advancing America’s global AI dominance,” the stated goal of the administration’s overall AI strategy.
Concerns over China
“R&D serves as the backbone for innovation, enabling the discovery of new algorithms, models, and technologies that enhance AI capabilities and ensure the United States remains the global leader in the development and deployment of AI. Yet, China has overtaken America in public sector R&D investments, particularly considering recent cuts to federal science and technology programs,” TechNet says.
“This gap is likely to grow with China continuing to surge its public investments in R&D,” TechNet warns.
“America has long been the global leader in foundational technology research and development. AI tools can enhance scientific research to reach insights and results within hours instead of months or years, helping us to achieve scientific breakthroughs that will define the next generation. As nations like China work to outcompete America in AI and emerging technologies, it is critical that we strengthen our investments not only in AI R&D but also basic research and the broader scientific ecosystem,” according to the group.
“This includes funding national research infrastructure to provide AI researchers and students with greater access to complex resources, data, and tools needed to develop AI,” TechNet says. “It also requires robust funding for programs such as the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration’s Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs Program, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) laboratories, and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, which will ensure innovation, workforce development, and economic development are catalyzed and spread throughout the entire country.”
The group emphasizes support for the National AI Research Resource, which it says “is best placed to increase the competitiveness of American entrepreneurs and startups and empower smaller public universities and community colleges by providing the necessary hands-on training for students to succeed in our rapidly changing economy.”
Further, it says, “A core priority for federal R&D must be investment in fundamental advances in AI algorithms, architectures, mathematical foundations, and computing paradigms. These are the building blocks of future AI systems and may not have immediate commercial applications, making them less attractive for private-sector funding.”
And it says, “National security and the resilience of critical infrastructure are areas where government leadership in AI R&D is indispensable. This often requires access to realistic and sensitive environments and data that only the government can provide and curate securely. Developing AI for detecting sophisticated cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, for instance, requires access to real-world attack data, network configurations, and vulnerability information that is highly restricted and cannot be shared with the private sector at large due to security risks.”
TechNet includes recommendations on addressing AI’s impact on the workforce, calling for federal leadership on “STEM education, technical training, and upskilling.”
TechNet also stresses the need for international collaboration on research.
TechNet describes itself as “the national, bipartisan network of technology CEOs and senior executives that promotes the growth of the innovation economy by advocating a targeted policy agenda at the federal and 50-state level.”
In other comment submissions, the Business Software Alliance’s submission called for expanding the National AI Research Resource, continued support for the AI Safety Institute and a focus on science, standards and global coordination.
The R Street Institute, a free market-oriented policy think tank, emphasized security as well as supporting open-source artificial intelligence development in its comments