Study Highlights Urgent Need for Action Against Rising Authoritarian Threats, Regulatory Overreach, and Technological Competition from China
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Edge Project (AEP), in partnership with the Lexington Institute, today unveiled a new study titled, “Race For The Future: Securing America’s Innovation Edge Against Authoritarian Threats.” This comprehensive report details the significant threats to U.S. technological leadership posed by China’s aggressive advancement in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and other critical emerging technologies.
The study highlights China’s ambitious, state-funded campaign to dominate the digital economy, including investments exceeding $2.8 trillion aimed at surpassing American capabilities in strategic technologies by 2030. The report emphasizes that America’s longstanding technological superiority, critical to economic prosperity and national security, faces an unprecedented challenge.
“This is our generation’s moonshot moment,” said Doug Kelly, CEO of American Edge. “The choices we make today will determine whether the digital world of tomorrow reflects American values of openness, innovation, and free expression — or whether it is shaped by authoritarian regimes that use technology to silence dissent and control populations. The clock is ticking. China is moving swiftly and strategically. The United States must move faster.”
The report in its entirety can be found here. Key findings highlight the scale of China’s authoritarian tech offensive:
- Massive State-Driven Investment: Beijing is committing nearly $2.8 trillion to usurp America as the pre-eminent tech powerhouse, with $1.4 trillion flowing into AI alone by 2030, while simultaneously stealing up to $600 billion annually in intellectual property and trade secrets.
- Two-Pronged AI Strategy: China is flooding the market with “free” open-source models like DeepSeek and Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5 that embed censorship, rewrite history, and suppress human rights discussions, while simultaneously investing heavily in proprietary AI for strategic dominance.
- Digital Infrastructure Control: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has built 30,000 miles of ultra-high voltage power lines to power its AI ambitions—while America has none. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China is exporting AI-powered surveillance technologies to dozens of partner nations, expanding its geopolitical influence.
- Critical Talent Shortage: China is projected to outproduce the United States by 27.5 million science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) graduates in the next decade, creating a dangerous gap in America’s high-tech workforce, with the semiconductor industry alone facing 160,000 unfilled positions by 2030.
The research outlines four key objectives American policymakers must focus on:
- Accelerating Private Sector Innovation and Investment in Critical Technologies: Foster a supportive environment through incentives, access to capital, research and development (R&D) investment, and robust innovation ecosystems.
- Strengthening Supply Chains and Digital Infrastructure: Enhance energy security, bolster cyber defenses, secure tech supply chains, and build a world-class technical workforce.
- Implementing Forward-Thinking Policies to Sustain Leadership: Avoid regulatory missteps that hamper innovation, ensure supportive policies, engage with allies, and align regulations with public and industry sentiments.
- Promoting Democratic Values and Countering Authoritarianism: Advocate for an open internet, counter digital authoritarianism, strengthen international partnerships, and utilize targeted export controls.
The bottom line: To secure America’s position as the undisputed leader in global technology, U.S. policymakers must cultivate a robust regulatory landscape that empowers private sector investment and fuels innovation. By championing policies that support and strengthen the U.S. tech ecosystem, American leaders can safeguard our economic prosperity, fortify our national security, and stave off the looming threats posed by China’s aggressive technological ambitions.
The full report is available 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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