WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Edge Project (AEP), a coalition of two dozen domestic organizations, today released a comprehensive policy checklist aimed at securing America’s competitive edge in the global technology race. Titled “Accelerate American Tech Innovation & Win the Tech Race with China,” the policy checklist outlines key legislative and regulatory priorities needed to strengthen U.S. national security, foster economic growth, and promote American innovation and ingenuity.
“American leadership in technology isn’t just about economics — it’s about safeguarding our national security, our values, and our standing around the world,” said Doug Kelly, CEO of the American Edge Project. “This policy checklist serves as a roadmap for urgent action. Just as the Space Race galvanized a generation of innovators and secured American dominance in aerospace, we now must embark upon a modern-day moonshot to win this high-stakes tech race and set the stage for decades of security and economic prosperity.”
The policy checklist addresses four key priorities:
- Accelerating American Innovation – The United States must seize the historic opportunity to secure lasting American artificial intelligence (AI) leadership through bold investments in energy generation and transmission, STEM education, advanced semiconductor production, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. America must also work towards excelling in both open-source and closed-source AI to ensure allies use trusted U.S. models — not China’s.
- Checking China’s Global Ambition – The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seeks to control key technologies and sectors that will determine future contests. The United States must strengthen alliances to counter China’s efforts to influence international technology standard setting, promote U.S.-led standards in global AI governance, and leverage public-private partnerships to counter digital authoritarianism.
- Avoiding Self-Inflicted Policy Wounds – Policymakers must evaluate all tech regulations through the lens of long-term U.S. competitiveness and security. America must stop handcuffing its own innovation with misguided federal and state-level policies that restrict U.S. innovation and undercut ingenuity.
- Extending the Digital Economy’s Benefits to All – The United States should close the digital divide by expanding broadband access, strengthening tech talent pipelines, and leveraging technology to enhance traditional industries, while supporting new entrepreneurial business models and ventures.
The policy checklist underscores the stakes of this tech race. Without strategic action, the U.S. risks ceding leadership in AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and other emerging fields to foreign competitors who do not share our values. The decisions made by Congress and the administration today will determine whether the U.S. remains the global leader in innovation — or whether China’s model of digital authoritarianism shapes the future.
View the policy checklist here.
BACKGROUND:
The American Edge Project is a coalition of domestic organizations representing a cross-section of U.S. innovators who are dedicated to telling the story about technology’s positive influence on America’s economy and the vital role innovation plays in our society. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, former U.S. Representative Chris Carney, and former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith are directors of the American Edge Project. AEP’s National Security Advisory Board is comprised of Former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend; retired four-star General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., United States Marine Corps (USMC), who served as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell. Former U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Economic Advisory Board. Former U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and Former U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board.
Visit AmericanEdgeProject.org for more information.
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