Federal Strategy and Management

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued two memos aimed at accelerating AI adoption across the federal government. But that vision won’t materialize unless other parts of the administration stop pulling in opposite directions or failing to act altogether.

The goal for the next Canadian decade should be simple yet ambitious: to support and scale at least 100 mid-sized, export-oriented companies that dominate strategic niches in global markets—Canada's own generation of Mittelstand-esque champions.

Congress should craft federal privacy legislation that protects consumers without undermining the responsible use of data that drives innovation, supports small businesses, and fuels economic growth. A balanced approach—emphasizing clear rules, transparency, and compliance over punitive enforcement—will safeguard privacy while preserving data’s value to society.

The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has aggressively downsized the federal workforce. To maintain essential services with fewer staff, the administration must embrace digital transformation, leveraging AI, automation, and self-service portals to improve efficiency and modernize government operations.

The United States has seen fragmented efforts in AI regulation. Lacking coordination, these efforts failed to create a unified strategy, leaving the U.S. without a clear voice on AI.

Congress should authorized funds for a government-wide training program to help U.S. officials better understand Chinese technology policy.

Congress should establish an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Competitiveness (ARPA–C) to fund advanced R&D projects.

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.

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.