Global tech trade association ITI released several policy actions last week that it suggests Congress and the Biden administration should focus on in 2024 to ensure the United States remains a global leader in technology and innovation, with AI being top on the list.
“AI is the latest example of how technology continues to play a critical role in the U.S. economy and Americans’ quality of life,” said ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman. “Technology will push forward cutting-edge research and development and advanced manufacturing, and provide pathways to solve major challenges like climate change. Even with the looming election, this year must be one of action given all that is at stake for the U.S. tech leadership.”
ITI’s 2024 Tech Issues in Focus highlights AI, Federal privacy, cybersecurity, supply chains, data flows, and other opportunities for U.S. leadership.
“Heading into the second half of the 118th U.S. Congress and the final year of the Biden Administration’s first term, ITI is focused on advancing policies that will drive continued U.S. competitiveness and growth in the technology sector,” the group said on Feb. 26.
On the AI front, ITI argues that development and adoption of the emerging technology will be transformational across every sector of the economy and help companies address business operations challenges, research and development, cybersecurity, and software engineering.
The group suggests that Congress and the Biden administration encourage the adoption of risk-based governance frameworks, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework. The group also notes that the administration, and Federal agencies, should continue to implement Biden’s recent AI executive order.
ITI also calls on Congress to invest in a modernized IT infrastructure to maximize the use of AI, as well as fully fund NIST’s AI Safety Institute and the National Science Foundation’s National AI Research Resource.
The group is also calling on the administration to make bolstering cybersecurity a priority in 2024.
“Our increasingly digitized and data-driven world is underpinned by a borderless, interconnected Internet ecosystem that has enabled unprecedented economic growth, innovation, and opportunity. But with this connectivity comes heightened and constantly-evolving cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure, networks, and sensitive data,” ITI wrote. “The United States can play a leading role in developing cybersecurity polices that mitigate cyber attacks and promote the trust, innovation and data flows fundamental to unlocking the benefits of the next wave of digital innovation, including AI.”
ITI suggested that lawmakers partner with the private sector to implement shared priorities in the National Cybersecurity Strategy, including to improve software supply chain security, enhance transparency and bolster security of federal networks.
Additionally, ITI argues that the government should continue to partner with the private sector to implement the voluntary U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program. Finally, the global trade tech association is calling on the administration to continue to streamline existing Federal cyber incident reporting requirements.
