Report Outlines a Comprehensive Policy Agenda to Safeguard America’s Technological Edge and Economic Prosperity
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Edge Project (AEP), a coalition of two dozen domestic organizations, today released a new national security framework outlining a comprehensive approach to safeguard America’s technological edge, economic prosperity, and digital infrastructure in the face of escalating digital authoritarianism, particularly from China.
The report is written in collaboration with some of the nation’s top national security and defense experts, including AEP National Security Advisory Board Co-Chairs: former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford, Jr., former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Michael Morell, and former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend.
For more than four decades, the United States and her allies have leveraged technological innovation to address societal issues, expand opportunity, promote prosperity, and to protect our country. However, America’s technological leadership is now under threat from techno-autocracies – such as China and Russia – that routinely use technology to surveil, censor, and control their citizens and to launch cyberattacks against America and our allies.
The outcome of this tech race will have profound implications on the global economic and geopolitical order and our security. The report outlines a three-pronged approach to counter the threat posed by techno-autocracies and ensure America maintains its technological edge:
- Accelerate America’s Ability to Innovate: To safeguard America’s innovation edge, policymakers must aggressively invest in emerging technologies, accelerate private sector innovation through financial incentives and reduced regulatory barriers, and bolster cloud computing cybersecurity to protect our digital infrastructure from foreign adversaries.
- Strengthen Global Technology Alliances: The United States must leverage its extensive network of global allies and partners to secure cross-border data flows and bolster the resilience of global technology supply chains.
- Defend Against Digital Authoritarianism: The United States must confront the growing threat posed by digital authoritarian regimes like China and Russia by taking strategic actions such as targeted decoupling, enhanced oversight of Chinese companies, and empowering domestic technology companies to bolster cybersecurity and counter disinformation campaigns.
“America’s adversaries are determined to erode our competitive edge and they are investing heavily in research and development to achieve that goal. If they succeed, they will weaponize the world’s most powerful technologies to surveil, censor, and undermine freedom and liberty around the globe. We cannot allow that to happen.” said Townsend.
“China’s deliberate plans to supplant the United States as the world leader in technology and innovation pose a clear and present threat to our security, economic prosperity, and our very way of life.” said General Dunford. “If we are going to succeed in this competition with China, we will need to unleash America’s private sector and maximize its powerful innovation capabilities.”
“We are locked in a high-stakes tech race with China. And the decisions our leaders and policymakers make right now will help determine the outcome of that race — and the future of the free world. America’s leaders must focus their efforts on accelerating domestic innovation if we are going to succeed in thwarting China’s global ambitions.” added former Acting Director Morell. “There’s too much at stake to get this wrong.”
The report in its entirety can be found here. This policy platform builds on the American Edge Project’s initial and inaugural national security policy issued in February 2021.
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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