In 2019, Council on Competitiveness leaders concluded the United States was unprepared on many fronts for the economic and global competitive challenges they foresaw on the horizon. In response, they formed a “National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers” to chart a new pathway for U.S. economic and productivity growth, national security, and prosperity. After a year-long dialogue with leaders and experts from business, government, academia, and labor, the Commission released its first report and action agenda, Competing in the Next Economy – that called for a “10X”, tenfold, increase in U.S. innovation capacity and capability.
Since its release, we have seen real progress on many fronts aligned with the Commission’s initial, key recommendations. For example, public and private sector leaders have partnered to develop new, national, critical technology strategies; diplomats have woven technology issues through America’s global outreach and engagement; U.S. total research and development (R&D) investment has reached record levels driven, in particular, by the private sector; and the country has turbo-charged place-making initiatives by investing billions of dollars in new regional innovation and semiconductor manufacturing hubs across the country.