Why should the 119th Congress care about AI and science competitiveness?
The defining moment of the recent presidential election was not “cats and dogs” nor the heavy focus on inflation. It was when ‘quantum computing’ entered the presidential discourse for the first time in American history during the second debate. This signals a broader truth for the incoming 119th Congress — AI and scientific innovation and competitiveness are essential strategic priorities for the United States not just for securing global leadership, but for bolstering resilience and revitalizing communities nationwide.
Strengthening American sovereignty and leadership has taken on a new urgency in today’s geopolitical landscape. We can no longer rely on the globalist assumptions of the post-Cold War era that mutually beneficial agreements can be made with all nations regardless of ideology. Both President Putin and Xi Jinping recognize technology as the primary battleground for global influence. We’re in an era where China and Russia are actively using technology to shape a world aligned with their authoritarian models — in direct opposition to America’s democratic, free-market vision.
The semiconductor crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant vulnerabilities in the American supply chain, particularly due to the concentration of most advanced chip production in East Asia. This shortage severely impacted industries like automotive manufacturing, resulting in the passing of the CHIPS Act to bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
The recent string of Chinese-linked cyber-attacks, even on the U.S. Treasury Department, underscores the urgency of maintaining competitiveness. When depending on potential adversaries for crucial technology components, the United States risks having its values and democratic principles compromised through technological coercion. If the control of key technologies that boost productivity and economic growth lies outside the borders, Americans in all communities may not be guaranteed reliable access to innovation during times of geopolitical tension.
Although the US currently has the lead in scientific innovation and the AI ‘arms race’, it is not decisive nor everlasting. The decisions Congress makes today about innovation will determine whether America remains a leader. As AI systems, like OpenAI’s o1 model, demonstrate troubling capabilities, global leadership is necessary to set norms and ethical standards that prioritize transparency, safety, and democratic values. Dominance could also result in international dependence on American companies for critical tools, as we see for cloud computing (e.g. Amazon Web Services), giving the US substantial leverage to influence international standards and policies in ways that protect strategic interests.
Perhaps most critically, Congress has the opportunity to use AI and scientific competitiveness to address one of America’s most pressing challenges: disparate economic growth. While firms predict AI could double annual economic growth rates by 2035, there’s a risk that the benefits will be concentrated in prosperous urban centers, worsening the rural-urban divide and leaving smaller cities and rural areas behind.
To sustain AI and scientific competitiveness, Congress could rely on the strengths of their constituencies and prioritize building regional hubs that support innovation. Not only would this help “reshore” jobs — an issue many members of Congress campaigned on — but it would also stimulate both existing and emerging industries, strengthening local economies across the country.
Beyond reshoring jobs, prioritizing AI and scientific competitiveness can help address the persistent economic anxiety lingering since the pandemic. Despite strong headline economic figures, many Americans remain uncertain about their financial future (“vibecession”) — a sentiment that played a significant role in shaping the voting patterns and ultimately determining the composition of the 119th Congress. Strategic initiatives in workforce development programs can help Americans transition into skilled AI and deep-tech roles, creating pathways to stability.
By building innovation hubs across the country, Congress can help create the kind of tangible economic opportunities that build lasting resilience and ensure all Americans have access to its benefits. When rural communities become centers for innovation in manufacturing, agriculture, or energy, it doesn’t just create jobs — it creates sustainable careers that allow families to plan for the future, restoring what some may feel is the lost “American dream”.
The decisions made by the 119th Congress regarding America’s AI and science competitiveness will be pivotal in securing the nation’s position as a global leader. By investing in scientific innovation across the country — from rural communities to mid-sized cities — Congress can strengthen national security, create new economic opportunities, and ensure the benefits of the AI and scientific revolution reach all Americans.
