Meghan Ostertag
Policy Analyst
Meghan Ostertag is a policy analyst for economic policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from American University.
Recent Publications
Fact of the Week: Through November 2025, U.S. Consumers and Businesses Bore 86 Percent of the Economic Burden From Tariffs
Throughout 2025, U.S. businesses and consumers have borne the largest share of the tariff incidence, or burden, while tariffs had relatively minimal impacts on foreign exporters.
Fact of the Week: Between 2019 and 2023, the Average Math Scores of US Eighth Graders Declined by 27 Points
Between 2019 and 2023, the average performance of U.S. eighth graders on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) exam exhibited a 27-point decline.
Fact of the Week: Industries Impacted by a Quasi-Robot Tax in South Korea Reduced Industrial Robot Installations by 28 Percent
After South Korea reduced its tax credit for automation in 2018 from 7 percent to 3 percent for large firms, South Korean industries, on average, reduced robot installations by 28 percent compared with their Japanese counterparts.
Fact of the Week: Chinese Ship Exports Have Increased by 1,525 Percent Since 2004
The Chinese shipbuilding industry controls 55 percent of global market share, with exports increasing by 1,525 percent since 2004.
Fact of the Week: Pursuing Digital Sovereignty Could Cost Europe an Estimated $4.2T Over 10 Years
According to the Center for European Policy Analysis, digital sovereignty would conservatively cost the EU €3.6 trillion ($4.2 trillion) over 10 years.
Declining Science and Engineering R&D in Higher Education Threatens US Competitiveness
U.S. higher education plays a central role in science and engineering R&D, yet investment in these fields has declined over the past decade. This erosion threatens the future of U.S. technological leadership and its ability to compete with China.
Fact of the Week: Construction Industry Facing a 439,000-Worker Shortage Driven by the Growth of Data Centers
As of November 2025, with over 400 data centers currently under development, the construction industry is facing a shortage of roughly 439,000 workers.
Fact of the Week: Commuting Areas Far From AI Hotspots Experienced 17 Percent Lower Growth in AI Jobs
A report finds that firms that are 125 miles from the closest AI hotspot, defined as an area with over 1000 AI publications or patents, experienced 17 percent lower AI job growth between 2007 and 2019.
Fact of the Week: The Chinese Yuan Is 25 Percent Undervalued
The International Monetary Fund found that the Chinese yuan is significantly undervalued, with Goldman Sachs estimating that the value of the currency is 25 percent below what is expected.
Venture Capital and Advanced Technologies Drive US Employment
New research from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that venture capital investment and advanced technology adoption are closely linked to higher employment and productivity. VC-backed, technology-adopting firms account for a disproportionately large share of U.S. jobs, even as venture investment has declined since 2021.
AI’s Job Impact: Gains Outpace Losses
AI isn’t destroying jobs; it’s creating them. At least in 2024, the surge in AI activity and data center construction generated more jobs than AI displaced.
Comments to OSTP Regarding Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise
The science community must move beyond the linear model of scientific research developed and encouraged by Vannevar Bush, and realign scientific exploration with national interests, especially in the face of the growing technological and economic threat posed by China.
