The Honorable Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan’s keynote address offered an inspiring vision of the agency’s role as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of democratizing access to emerging technologies and fostering cross-sector partnerships to drive the nation’s innovation capacity. He framed the NSF as an enabler, empowering institutions, researchers, and communities to lead transformative efforts across critical fields such as artificial intelligence, energy, and quantum technologies. Dir. Panchanathan underscored many of the areas in which the NSF invests today do not yet have labels, reflecting the agency’s forward-looking mission to lay the groundwork for industries of the future.
Central to innovation is the democratization of access to technology and innovation. Advancements in AI and other transformative fields must not be concentrated in the hands of a few but should be accessible to all. The NSF’s commitment to expanding access to this technology is evident in initiatives like the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) and the 27 NSF-supported AI institutes, which integrate disciplines like law and policy into technological development to ensure solutions are comprehensive. By fostering partnerships across sectors, the NSF aims to create a collaborative ecosystem that can address the complex challenges posed by emerging technologies.
Furthermore, Dir. Panchanathan highlighted the importance of bringing together academia, industry, and government to scale innovation effectively. He cited several examples of successful partnerships, such as semiconductor packaging development in Florida, quantum nanofabrication at the University of Colorado Boulder, and AI research at Ohio State University. These initiatives reflect NSF’s focus on place-based innovation, leveraging regional strengths to drive localized development with speed, scale, and intensity. This approach ensures that innovation is not only cutting-edge but also regionally relevant and impactful.
To build the industries of the future, the workforce needs to be equipped with the skills to support these emerging industries. Recognizing the urgency of maintaining global competitiveness, Dir. Panchanathan stressed the need to unlock the full potential of talent across the country. Programs like STEM Connect and cybersecurity scholarships aim to cultivate a skilled workforce, engaging not only universities but also community colleges to broaden the pipeline of talent.
“There is no point talking about competition without unleashing every ounce of talent and ideas across the country.”
The Hon. Sethuraman Panchanathan
Director
U.S. National Science Foundation
Besides talent development, a region must also have the infrastructure and resources to unleash its innovative potential, and the NSF has taken an active role in promoting the development of these economic components across the country. Dir. Panchanathan pointed to the role of NSF research centers in advancing technologies such as refrigerants and quantum systems, illustrating how foundational investments can translate innovative ideas into scalable solutions. He also discussed the importance of major infrastructure projects, such as the NSF Engines initiative, that supports domestic development in areas essential for achieving energy independence to bolstering national economic security.
