Transforming traditional “bricks and mortar” infrastructures into “hybrid” digital infrastructures will unlock new economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve quality of life.

A Policymaker’s Guide to Digital Infrastructure

Please join ITIF to discuss a new report exploring why building out digital and hybrid infrastructure is critical to seizing the next wave of economic opportunities, creating jobs, and improving people’s quality of life.

Digitizing America’s Infrastructure for the 21st Century Economy

The emergence of hybrid infrastructure—infrastructure that integrates digital technology with physical infrastructure—will be more efficient and sustainable than the concrete roads and bridges of yesteryear. But the new technologies raise the question of whether to prioritize maintaining existing infrastructure or deploying innovative new infrastructure.

Innovation vs. Maintenance in the Drive Toward “Hybrid” Infrastructure

Congress should establish a smart-city pilot program and funding mechanism to spur the development of comprehensive smart-city services that leverage the Internet of Things.

To Do: Fund a Globally Competitive Smart-Cities Program

Any national infrastructure package should include 21st century digital infrastructure—not only investments in core digital infrastructure, such as broadband and government IT systems, but also hybrid-digital upgrades to existing physical infrastructure to improve its performance.

“Building Back Better” Requires Building In Digital

"Building Back Better" Requires Building In Digital

Investing in infrastructure can spur long-term economic growth—but it has to be about more than just pouring new concrete. The real opportunity is to also install chips, sensors, and other information technologies that will make U.S. infrastructure systems safer, more efficient, and more adaptable.

To Upgrade U.S. Infrastructure for the Digital Age, Don’t Just Pour Concrete, Says Leading Tech-Policy Think Tank; Install Chips and Sensors, Too

To Upgrade U.S. Infrastructure for the Digital Age, Don't Just Pour Concrete, Says Leading Tech-Policy Think Tank; Install Chips and Sensors, Too

The U.S. must transform physical infrastructure into digital to seize economic opportunities.

U.S. Must Embed Digital Technologies in Its Infrastructure to Seize Next Wave of Economic Growth, ITIF Concludes in New Analysis Marking National Infrastructure Week

Congress should establish an e-government modernization fund for federal, state, and local agencies to upgrade their IT systems.

To Do: Establish an E-government Modernization Fund

In a profile in its “One Good Idea” section, National Journal writes that Stephen Ezell and Rob Atkinson have an idea that they believe would improve U.S. infrastructure: create a “Race to the Digital Top” to pilot intelligent transportation technology in six cities.

To Do: Establish a Digital Infrastructure Council

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A Policymaker’s Guide to Digital Infrastructure

Digitizing America’s Infrastructure for the 21st Century Economy

Innovation vs. Maintenance in the Drive Toward “Hybrid” Infrastructure