On Thursday, October 19, ITI and Visa hosted a Bridge for Innovation conversation on how public-private partnerships and workforce development are strengthening the United States’ cybersecurity infrastructure featuring ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) at the Visa Payments Loft (801 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
This event is a part of ITI’s Bridge for Innovation campaign, which highlights how good tech policy builds the foundation for the future.
Advancing Cybersecurity for All
On Thursday, October 19, ITI and Visa hosted a Bridge for Innovation conversation on how public-private partnerships and workforce development are strengthening the United States’ cybersecurity infrastructure featuring ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) at the Visa Payments Loft (801 Pennsylvania Ave NW).
This event is a part of ITI’s Bridge for Innovation campaign, which highlights how good tech policy builds the foundation for the future.
On July 13, U.S. Congressmen Ron Estes (R-KS) and John Larson (D-CT) joined ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman for an in-depth conversation on why research and development incentives are crucial to maintaining the United States’ competitive economic standing and innovation.
Furthering U.S. Competitiveness Through Research and Development
On July 13, U.S. Congressmen Ron Estes (R-KS) and John Larson (D-CT) joined ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman for an in-depth conversation on why research and development incentives are crucial to maintaining the United States’ competitive economic standing and innovation.
Innovation Across America: ITI’s President & CEO Visits Minnesota
Technology provides critical services and economic opportunities to communities across the U.S. in unique ways. As part of ITI’s Bridge for Innovation campaign, we are highlighting innovation across America. ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman toured ITI members’ innovative and impactful work in Minnesota.
Jason’s first stop was in Bloomington, Minnesota, where he visited Seagate’s operations and wafer fabrication in action. Seagate manufactures innovative and advanced hard drives that enable technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing.
ITI’s Jason Oxman stands with Seagate’s Kimberly Ekmark.ITI’s Jason Oxman learns about the wafer manufacturing process.
He also visited Medtronic’s Operational Headquarters in Fridley, Minnesota. There he learned about the groundbreaking healthcare technology solutions being developed at Medtronic. Medtronic uses data-driven solutions to improve health and health care for communities across the United States.
ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman stands with Medtronic’s Jim Southwick.
You can learn more about how the tech industry is helping drive innovation and competition throughout the United States here and its impact in the state of Minnesota. Stay tuned for the next Innovation Across America trip.
Strong Supply Chains Critical to Infrastructure Funding
On November 16, 2022 at 9:00am ET, ITI will host a discussion with U.S. and EU policymakers on the latest technology and policy solutions that will be critical in charting the future of artificial intelligence in the United States and around the world.
Furthering U.S. Competitiveness Through Research and Development
On July 13, U.S. Congressmen Ron Estes (R-KS) and John Larson (D-CT) joined ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman for an in-depth conversation on why research and development incentives are crucial to maintaining the United States’ competitive economic standing and innovation.
Innovation Across America: ITI’s President & CEO Visits New Jersey and New York
The tech industry drives progress in many visible ways: building products, supporting the economy, and securing infrastructure. As part of ITI’s Bridge for Innovation campaign, we are highlighting innovation across America. ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman toured ITI members’ innovative and impactful work in New Jersey and New York.
Jason’s first stop was in Secaucus, New Jersey. There, he visited ZT Systems and learned about how they are providing solutions to the world’s leading cloud and telecom service providers. ZT Systems helps people all over the world connect, learn, play, explore, and innovate through providing support for hyperscale cloud computing and digital infrastructure providers.
ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman stands with ZT System’s Aaron Arvizu.ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman tours ZT System’s facility.
He also visited was at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, NY. There he learned about the groundbreaking research occurring at the center on AI, semiconductor performance, high performance computing, and quantum.
ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman stands with IBM’s Christy Tyberg and learns about quantum computing.
You can learn more about how the tech industry is helping drive innovation and competition throughout the United States here and its impact in the state of New Jersey and New York. Stay tuned for the next Innovation Across America trip.
Strong Supply Chains Critical to Infrastructure Funding
Innovation Across America: ITI’s President & CEO Visits Austin, Texas
For more than 100 years, ITI’s members have been creating new technologies in communities across the U.S. that have become a foundation for the economy and society, creating jobs and making the U.S. more innovative and competitive. To highlight how key policies support the technology industry, ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman is traveling across the country to visit ITI member companies and see the impact of innovation happening across America.
Jason’s first stop was in Austin, Texas. There, he visited AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) and saw many of the groundbreaking technological advancements AMD has developed to help solve major challenges facing the world. AMD designs and develops semiconductors that support the larger tech ecosystem and are critical to supporting advancements in areas like healthcare, sustainability, entertainment, science, and automotive.
ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman views an example of AMD’s semiconductor work at its Austin, Texas location.
Jason also toured Samsung’s semiconductor foundry in Austin. Jason learned more about Samsung’s investments in chips development in Texas and its world-class facility, which primarily focuses on the production of 14nm and 28/32nm chip technologies. This facility had a $6.3 billion total economic impact in Central Texas in 2021, supporting nearly 10,000 jobs. Samsung is scheduled to open a new semiconductor facility in Taylor, Texas in 2024 to expand its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in the U.S.
ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman tours Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
On his final stop in Austin, Jason joined Dell for a tour of the Texas Advanced Computer Center (TACC) at the University of Texas at Austin, which designs and deploys computing technologies to power discoveries that change the world. TACC is a prime example of how public and private sector partnerships are critical in advanced computing. The tour of TACC highlighted its leading-edge resources in high performance computing, visualization, data analysis, storage, cloud, data-driven computing, connectivity, and more.
The Texas Advanced Computer Center (TACC) partners with Dell and other tech companies to design and deploy computing technologies to power discoveries that change the world.
Through its partnership with Dell and other industry leaders, TACC helps address some of society’s most pressing challenges including combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, developing next generation weather forecasting, and exploring the depths of the universe.
ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman tours the TACC and learns about its work in high performance computing, visualization, data analysis, storage, cloud, data-driven computing, connectivity, and more.
You can learn more about how the tech industry is helping drive innovation and competition throughout the United States here and its impact in the state of Texas here. Stay tuned for the next Innovation Across America trip.
Strong Supply Chains Critical to Infrastructure Funding
On July 13, ITI President & CEO Jason Oxman hosted a panel featuring Congressman John Curtis (R-UT); Steve Hartell, Vice President of Public Policy at Amazon; Shannon Taylor, Head of Technology and Manufacturing Affairs at Intel Corporation; and Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs & Chief Legal Officer at Google to discuss supporting the future of tech innovation and policy priorities aimed at keeping the U.S. competitive on the global stage.
Furthering U.S. Competitiveness Through Research and Development
On July 13, U.S. Congressmen Ron Estes (R-KS) and John Larson (D-CT) joined ITI’s President and CEO Jason Oxman for an in-depth conversation on why research and development incentives are crucial to maintaining the United States’ competitive economic standing and innovation.
The U.S. tech sector has helped the U.S. economy thrive and compete on an international scale for more than a century. That’s been made possible by industry efforts to grow a sustainable and diverse workforce and a policy environment that has helped technology companies lead the world in developing innovative products and services. This includes groundbreaking, disruptive technologies that transform markets, address societal challenges, and allow us to imagine entirely new solutions that facilitate the creation and commercial engagement by an increasingly wide range of firms, entrepreneurs, and individuals.
Kyndryl recently announced it would partner with One Tree Planted to plant 88,449 trees around the world.
Kyndryl works with a large client base to design and manage important technological systems around the world — ensuring these operations run efficiently and securely. The trees represent the company’s broader commitment to sustainable technologies and cutting emissions. With these initiatives, Kyndryl aims to increase efficiency and reduce emissions in its operations.
“This program aligns perfectly with our Kyndryl values. The roots of trees provide strength to grow tall and strong, but we know they don’t act alone. Their roots intertwine to create vibrant ecosystems that support a diverse array of life around them. Every tree represents a Kyndryl, the people who work with our customers at the heart of progress, powering the vital systems that keep entire industries moving forward.”
Keysight uses its after-school program to enhance children’s STEM education with a series of hands-on science projects. Students design and work with engaging scientific technology including electronic-circuit games, balloon-powered cars, clean water engineering, weather stations and more.
Keysight provides funding and volunteers for the program at no cost to students and participating organizations. Students are able to take home their final projects where they can share their discoveries with family and friends and delve further into the field. The program is primarily utilized in schools but can be hosted in community centers, museums, hospitals and other venues as well.
“Keysight After School is a hands-on science program for children between the ages of 9 and 13 years in communities where the company has a presence. Keysight After School features 23 different hands-on life, physical and earth-science experiments designed as complete “programs-in-a-box” with all the materials needed for students to implement various science-based experiments.”
Strong Supply Chains Critical to Infrastructure Funding
Digital infrastructure provides the foundation for Americans to enjoy the economic and social benefits that come from a reliable online economy. It gives us access to virtual healthcare services and online education. It helps small businesses sell products and services online. And it enables remote working for businesses and organizations of all sizes.
Passage last year of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act guaranteed historic federal funding to not only improve our current networks and infrastructure but to help close the digital divide and deliver more clean energy to our grid. This is a massive investment in our future and promises to improve the lives of Americans for decades to come.
It’s important to recognize that innovation does not happen in a vacuum.
However, it’s important to recognize that innovation does not happen in a vacuum. Resources such as a reliable global supply chain are critical in helping industries keep America at the forefront of the development and deployment of broadband infrastructure.
While it is vital that we continue to expand supply chains and manufacturing here in the United States, global companies must be able to continue tapping into the global supply chains that will provide full access to materials. Rigid domestic sourcing requirements threaten the success of this funding.
The technology industry has proven that it is possible to expand domestic labor and manufacturing opportunities which promote economic growth, while also using the global supply chain when beneficial to further innovation. This progress must be kept in mind as policy is developed and implemented.
Strong Supply Chains Critical to Infrastructure Funding
Juniper Networks: Connecting Others to Opportunity
Juniper Networks is collaborating with a range of charitable organizations to provoke change in the world through a diverse set of interests. Juniper is investing in STEM education initiatives to empower girls and underprivileged youth populations in local schools. Juniper has partnered with several organizations to help advance these efforts, including Girlstart, Hidden Genius Project, and Project Learn.
Additionally, Juniper has put forth robust relief efforts in response to natural disasters to help communities rebuild and revitalize. Since 2015, the company has donated more than $1 million to support relief efforts worldwide. Juniper also emphasizes the importance of volunteering to help support the communities it’s connected to. That’s why every full-time employee is entitled to five paid working days a year that can be spent volunteering for a cause they’re passionate about. Through Juniper’s Matching Gift Program, the company matches donations up to $1000 per year, per employee.
“From STEM education to disaster relief and community volunteering, we partner with charitable organizations whose values align with ours to power connections and empower change in the world.”
You can read more about Juniper Network’s work here.
Dell Technologies: Addressing the Gender Gap in Tech
Dell Technologies is working to promote equality and equity in the workforce. To do so, Dell is pledging that at least 50% of participants in its social and educational initiatives will be women or people from underrepresented groups.
Dell has already seen success with this goal in China from its collaboration with the Chinese Women’s Development Foundation. Since 2016, Dell Technologies has provided support for women at Chinese universities majoring in information and communication technology subjects. It has offered classes, workshops, and seminars to help women thrive in the tech industry.
“To align with our goals of increasing the number of women and underrepresented groups within the Dell Technologies workforce, we want at least half of the participants in our social and educational initiatives to be from those same groups.”
Honeywell: Using STEM Skills to Explore the Future of Fashion
Honeywell believes early STEM education will drive the next generation of innovators. The company recently joined forces with Kelly Oubre, an NBA player for the Charlotte Hornets, as well as Digi-Bridge, an educational non-profit, to provide 3D printers and teach students about how STEM can be implemented in the fashion industry. Students at Governors’ Village STEM Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina worked with Oubre to design accessories for him to wear to his games.
With the help of Honeywell, students transformed their fashion ideas into 3D-printed wardrobe items such as cuff-style bracelets, pendant necklaces and earrings.
“The project, a partnership between Honeywell, the Charlotte Hornets, and the education non-profit Digi-Bridge, got students thinking about how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can help power innovative fashion design.”
SWIFT strives to improve education through the support of associations that help children and young adults in need. SWIFT supports SOS Children’s Villages, an international development organization that works to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children worldwide. Following natural catastrophes and disease outbreaks, SWIFT’s staff members contribute to relief efforts across the globe, and SWIFT matches each staff donation.
In response to the crisis in Ukraine, SWIFT continues to support economic stability, resiliency and prosperity across the global financial system, to support long-term resolution and recovery as well as support politically neutral humanitarian organizations through its corporate social responsibility programs.
“Our business is global. SWIFT works with and for financial communities across the globe. We know this is a privilege as well as a responsibility, and we are committed to making a positive impact wherever we can.”
Twilio believes that when people have access to the information and resources they need, they can take action to improve their outcomes and long-term wellbeing. That’s why the company worked to drive better outcomes across the vaccine lifecycle.
Twilio contributed $10 million to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance that supports COVAX, an initiative to provide vaccines to low and middle-income countries. Twilio grantees and customers are also using on-the-ground expertise and technology to solve complex distribution challenges and the company is also partnering with organizations to build vaccine understanding and confidence. Finally, many organizations are using Twilio to connect to people directly and increase vaccination rates by communicating availability, booking appointments and delivering reminders about subsequent shots.
“For me, Twilio has been THE stand-out technology company that has really put action behind words to support vaccine equity. The company has not only led through substantive funding but equally through the team’s energy, creativity and sheer dedication to get a product to market that actually aims to change things for the future.”
Qualcomm: Inspiring the Next Generation of Inventors
Qualcomm is committed to nurturing and equipping future innovators with the skills and knowledge to solve global challenges. It works to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce by advancing STEM education for students at all levels and from all backgrounds.
Qualcomm’s Thinkabit Lab shows students how they can be part of inventing a wireless future through hands-on projects and has inspired 85,000 students as of 2021. Qualcomm also collaborates with FIRST, a leading nonprofit that engages PreK-12 students in robotics programs, and Million Girls Moonshot, which aims to inspire one million more girls to receive STEM education through after-school and summer opportunities by 2025.
“This challenge has opened my eyes to this new world of innovation, engineering and entrepreneurship that I never really saw myself pursuing in the past. I now see myself as more than just a female in this male-dominated field, but as an effective contributor and innovator in STEM.”
You can read more about Qualcomm’s work to inspire the next generation of inventors and about countless other projects for good here.
The impact of climate change on landscapes, communities, and the planet is a shared experience across the globe. From our water supplies to the air we breathe, climate change knows no borders. This Earth Day, we were reminded of the importance of acting with speed and efficiency to put in place safeguards that will protect our planet for future generations.
“Addressing climate change will require accelerating innovation…”— ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman
ITI members are leading tech sector efforts to ensure that people around the world will continue to have access to resources and materials for generations to come. Our companies are consistently innovating throughout the entire product lifecycle, from materials sourcing to environmental design, to energy efficiency and proper end-of-life management.
However, ensuring Earth’s longevity and viability is a herculean task. It requires broad partnerships and problem-solving across industries and governments. ITI strongly advocates for public policy and international partnerships, such as the Paris Agreement, that provide the proper funding and programs aimed at avoiding irreversible damage to societies, economies, and the planet.
You can learn more about the tech industry’s commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable planet at bridgeforinnovation.org.
Tech leaders come together to forge a path forward through the challenges of COVID
Honeywell and Twitter have found that utilizing the tools Salesforce offers has not only allowed their businesses to continue operating during the pandemic but have also found ways to continue to innovate and improve their business for both employees and consumers via remote options. With Salesforce, Honeywell has been able to meet their customer’s needs along with the technical requirements for their support staff with the flexibility that the changing nature of Covid has required. Twitter has been able to utilize Salesforce in order to transform its business operations which has allowed them to learn from the data they collect to spot trends early, adjust strategies to stay close to its customers, and improve sales, marketing, and HR outcomes.
The future of innovation is coming at an increasingly fast pace, and tech companies – the bridge for innovation – can work together as Salesforce, Honeywell, and Twitter have to continue to build new tools that we can all utilize to overcome the challenges of our time.
For more on this story, you can read details or watch videos made in partnership with The New York Times here.
West Virginia is leading the charge in Toyota’s electrified future
Toyota has made the commitment to offer an electrified version of every vehicle across its entire lineup of both Toyota and Lexus vehicles by 2025. This commitment to the production of alternative-powered vehicles (APVs) such as hybrids, plug-ins, fuel cells, and completely electric vehicles, will help Toyota reach its goals for carbon neutrality. In November 2021, Toyota West Virginia took the lead in doing the work of this commitment by making a $240 million investment to add a dedicated production line of hybrid transaxles.
This new line will provide new equipment and operational upgrades to modernize the facilities. The most important result of the investment is that it will enable the training of plant employees to diversify their skillset and play a larger role in Toyota’s electric future.
This investment in West Virginia’s future garnered endorsements from West Virginia’s Governor Jim Justice, and Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito.
Tech is a crucial ingredient to shared prosperity and a more equitable, secure society that enjoys better health outcomes and superior educational opportunities for all. Good policy can make our lives better, ensure our economy is strong and support good jobs and opportunities in which innovation can flourish.
The State of the Union comes this week as the list of pressing issues to address seemingly grows longer by the day. It is important to ensure that industry and government are working together to deliver a future that Americans deserve.
Tech and sound policy can both help address today’s most daunting challenges while laying the foundation for a future in which all communities can thrive.
ITI understands that the tech industry must serve as an important partner in helping drive critical policy initiatives to promote U.S. competitiveness and lift up the U.S. economy. The Bridge for Innovation campaign underscores this spirit of innovation, partnership, and the importance of smart and purposeful policy.
ITI has put forward several policy priorities where the United States can make significant progress in 2022 for the benefit of businesses, workers, and consumers across virtually every sector of the economy. The below priorities included in ITI’s suggestions mirror the policy focus of the Bridge for Innovation campaign.
Viability
Support Technology Research, Development, and Manufacturing
Advance a Tax System that Promotes Growth and is Globally Competitive
Accelerate Broadband Deployment to all U.S. Communities
Security
Pass Federal Privacy Legislation
Ensure A Consistent and Coordinated Approach to Cybersecurity
Bolster Supply Chain Security
Equity and Opportunity
Expand Strong, Inclusive Digital Trade Commitments
Develop the Workforce of the Future
Read ITI’s Action Plan for 2022 to see how the global technology industry is committed to driving America’s economic competitiveness.
Accenture’s Tech4Good helps ensure clean drinking water in developing nations
Accenture Labs’ Tech4Good program, which uses cutting-edge applied research to help address critical societal challenges, began working with charity: water, a non-profit devoted to providing clean, safe drinking water to more than 11 million people in 29 countries. Learn more about this valuable program here.
Engage. Educate. Employ. In partnership with select minority-serving institutions, Dell is advancing diversity to transform the tech industry.
Through Dell’s unique curriculum, Develop with Dell, the tech company is empowering underrepresented minority students with free access to a world-class sales and STEM training program that enhances their marketability for roles across Dell Technologies, its customer and partner ecosystem, and the IT industry.
Learn more about Dell’s Changing the Face of Tech program here.
Intel Launches and Expands AI Degree Program Across the U.S.
The Intel AI® for Workforce Program launched in 2020 in partnership with the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) in Arizona to create the first Intel-designed artificial intelligence (AI) associate degree program in the U.S.
Students at Chandler-Gilbert Community College gather for a new student orientation in 2019. Intel is partnering with Maricopa County Community College District to launch the first Intel-designed artificial intelligence associate degree program in the U.S. The program’s first phase will be piloted online at Estrella Mountain Community College and Chandler Gilbert Community College in fall 2020. (Credit: Maricopa County Community College District)
MCCCD is one of the largest community colleges in the U.S. with more than 100,000 students across 10 campuses. With this degree program, students will learn fundamental skills such as data collection, AI model training, coding and ethics. In addition, Intel contributes technical advice, faculty training, summer internships and mentorships for students and faculty members.
In 2021, Intel announced a major expansion of its AI for Workforce Program across the U.S. The program had been added in 18 institutions across 11 U.S. states that serve a total of 800,000 students, and plans to expand to 50 more community and vocational colleges in 2022 are underway.
Programs like this are incredibly important to keeping the U.S. workforce competitive and ensure that Americans are keeping up with the global demand for artificial intelligence skills that are expected to grow exponentially. Learn more about the AI associate degree program here.
Siemens to Showcase Benefits of Digitization for FDA Review of Manufactured Medical Devices
In today’s fast-paced world, demonstrations of “the art of the possible,” combined with advanced digitalization and factory automation, are one way Siemens showcases how different processes and technologies can help prepare for potentially disruptive changes to design and production norms. This preparation and understanding can lead to more rapid responses to pandemics, such as the COVID-19 virus, as well as enhance our ability to respond to future emerging threats.
To support the FDA’s Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats (OCET) advanced manufacturing program, Siemens will install and configure an advanced digital design and manufacturing showcase to demonstrate “the art of the possible” in creating digital twins and digital threads for some medical devices. This will include an actual manufacturing line with Siemens Digital Industries Software’s Xcelerator portfolio, including advanced integrated software capabilities for design control and risk management; product lifecycle management; product, plant, and process design modeling and simulation; manufacturing execution; closed-loop quality management; Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and much more. This advanced digital technology is already used in many industries, including aerospace, defense, automotive, and consumer products.
Creating and leveraging digital threads are an invaluable capability for both medical device manufacturers and the FDA. Digital twins and threads, with the use of integrated advanced modeling and simulation, can enable significantly better product design and performance with more optimized production. Digital artifacts can be reused across the lifecycle, creating efficiency, fewer mistakes, and increased quality. This capability can also help regulators better visualize product and manufacturing risks, provide more robust traceability and impact analysis, and enable more comprehensive data sets that are easier and faster to review. In summary, regulators will be able to respond much faster with more precision and with better information to both emergency and non-emergency needs.
Siemens’ long-term goal for this project is to use technology to help educate and drive digital thread adoption for both the manufacturers and regulators. That can lead to better patient outcomes and a more efficient and competitive industry.
The tech industry supports policies that increase opportunity, protect consumer privacy, makes our networks and devices safer and protects our environment for future generations.
Over the past few years, policymakers and consumers around the world have focused much of their attention on a few large technology companies and how those firms impact our world. But the technology industry is comprised of companies of all sizes creating innovative products and services focused on developing new solutions to old problems and exploring new ways of doing things.
Since 1916, ITI members have been researching, creating and innovating to provide new products and services that help a wide array of industries and consumers.
Innovation thrives when we have an environment for growth and development. Our member companies are producing innovations made possible by previous good policy decisions that have allowed these technologies and services to take root and thrive.
That’s why ITI is launching a new campaign, Bridge for Innovation, to highlight how our members are helping create technologies that help provide solutions for some of society’s most pressing issues, as well as how good policies can help us create a better tomorrow.
In our increasingly interconnected world, our members are immersed in many of today’s most complex policy discussions. ITI serves as an important convenor for policymakers and stakeholders seeking insights into technology and how good policy solutions can help address hurdles to progress.
At a critical moment when some of society’s most challenging issues are intersecting, ITI is in a unique position to provide insights into technology and policy solutions critical in addressing such issues.
Learn More: Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is the premier advocacy and policy organization for the world’s leading innovation companies.
Founded in 1916, ITI is an international trade association with a team of professionals on four continents. We promote public policies and industry standards that advance competition and innovation worldwide.
Our diverse membership and expert staff provide policymakers the broadest perspective and thought leadership from technology, hardware, software, services, and related industries.
For more information about ITI’s advocacy efforts visit our website here.
How the Technology Industry is Driving Sound Policy
Technology is a crucial part of our shared prosperity, connecting us to one another, to education, health care, and economic opportunities.
It helps drive progress and the development of timely solutions to address society’s most pressing issues. Technology depends on good policies that can make our lives better, ensure our economy is strong, and support good jobs and opportunities in which innovation can thrive.
On October 5, ITI members Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens Corp., and Amit Yoran, Chairman and CEO of Tenable, joined Jason Oxman, ITI’s President and CEO, for a virtual discussion on how the technology industry is working to create solutions to address pressing issues facing the country today, and policies that could have a positive impact in the future.
The U.S. tech sector has helped the U.S. economy thrive and compete on an international scale for more than a century. That’s been made possible by a policy and regulatory environment that has enabled technology companies to lead the world in developing innovative products and services, including groundbreaking, disruptive technologies that transform markets, address societal challenges, and allow us to imagine entirely new solutions that facilitate creation and commercial engagement by an increasingly wide range of firms, entrepreneurs, and individuals.
The technology industry is constantly working to enable companies of all sizes and from every industry to reach new markets, create jobs, and raise standards. That includes making investments in R&D that fuel U.S. global competitiveness, both through the creation of high-paying jobs across the United States, as well as through developing and selling the products and services those innovations offer to global customers. Constantly competing on the international playing field and leading in innovation and cutting edge technologies to ensure the U.S. is setting standards and best practices while bolstering the domestic economy
Good policy means promoting growth in high skilled, highly paid jobs, including by supporting innovation and technology manufacturing and ensuring that groundbreaking R&D activities and valuable intellectual property are located in the U.S. It means continuing to position the U.S. well to further its standing as a global leader in digital trade, decreasing unnecessary hurdles to cross-border data flows in a safe and secure manner. And recognizing that the competitiveness of the U.S. tech sector is dependent on its domestic workforce.
For the U.S. to remain a competitive, innovative economic global superpower, the country’s infrastructure needs to be connected, modernized and reimagined for the challenges of the future.
Government and industries such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, and healthcare all rely on the technology sector to bring new innovations that will serve as a backbone for our next-generation critical infrastructure systems. Technology companies are ensuring that infrastructure systems are accessible and equitable for all communities by making significant and targeted investments in areas such as modern broadband connectivity.
Good policy means securing adequate resources and R&D to allow for the development and deployment of technologies that will support the transformation of our critical sectors and infrastructure systems. It also means ensuring all Americans have access to affordable high-speed internet access and making sure the U.S. invests in physical and digital infrastructure now to ensure that future generations are able to take advantage of these economic foundations and builds upon them to ensure a better future for all Americans.
The strength of the U.S. economy relies on consistent job growth and reimagining employment and training opportunities for the domestic workforce to meet the demands of the future.
Tech represents a growing, critical part of the U.S. economy and workforce. The tech sector is larger than the 12 million workers employed directly by U.S. tech companies. Technology permeates our society and provides irreplaceable services and products that nearly every other U.S. industry relies upon to conduct daily business.
Good policy supports increased funding for STEM and computer science education, as well as expanded apprenticeships, technical training programs and tech-focused workforce development programs that can help the U.S. develop a more globally competitive workforce. It means bolstering federal funding for investments in Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). And bringing new, life-changing services for persons with disabilities and strengthening the development and adoption of inclusive policies and technologies for this community.
Climate change is a complex, interconnected issue which will require broad partnership and problem-solving across industries and governments, as well as ideas brought forward by those with diverse experiences, voices and expertise.
Tech is playing a critical role in promoting global energy efficiency and combating climate change. ITI and our members seek to continuously improve the energy efficiency landscape in the U.S. and globally to leverage energy-efficient technologies. We’re supporting policies that prioritize the use of technology in helping mitigate and adapt to our changing climate.
Good policy supports and protects international partnerships, such as the Paris Agreement, that tackle climate change head-on. helps utilities bridge the gap between supply and demand for energy. It means investing in clean technologies, infrastructure and programs that only help address and minimize the impacts of climate change, but support global economic competitiveness and promote investments that help avoid irreversible damage to our economy, society and the planet.
