Technology Diffusion

With the CHIPS and Science Act, Congress intended to concentrate resources in a select few places to help them become self-sustaining, globally competitive advanced-technology regions. Unfortunately, four separate agencies established regional tech hub programs, disbursing awards across 48 states. Going forward, Congress needs to decide on one approach or the other.

Congress should support rural innovation by creating a nationwide network of rural innovation institutes in sectors such as aquaculture, agriculture, wind and water energy, mining, and timber.

From safer roads and efficient railways to streamlined air and sea travel, technology-driven modernization can transform the nation’s infrastructure—if the administration overcomes regulatory roadblocks and special interest opposition.

Congress should pass the Improving Digital Identity Act to coordinate a government-wide effort to promote digital identity use in the public and private sectors.

Congress should establish industry-led national research institutes dedicated to precompetitive commercial technology development.

Europe has been enormously unsuccessful in creating substantial digital businesses for over three decades.

Innovation, productivity, and competitiveness must be top priorities for Canada’s next federal government, not sidenotes or vague aspirations to be addressed with little more than lip service.

The administration should develop a national AI roadmap that outlines sector-specific opportunities and barriers, as well as a detailed strategy for achieving widespread adoption in each of these sectors.

It’s easy to get excited about new breakthroughs, but the real power lies in diffusing technological advances throughout the entire economy.

Legislated procurement targets for SMEs should be a tool to stimulate technology R&D and commercialize Canadian innovations, and not a goal in and of itself. Focusing on firms that develop innovative solutions for government problems will create opportunities for Canadian firms to scale up and drive innovation, productivity, and competitiveness.