Central bank digital currencies have the potential to revolutionize the way we conduct financial transactions, but their implementation requires careful consideration and analysis. The work of the commission in this domain is critical in ensuring that any rollout of a central bank digital currency is done in a way that maximizes benefits and minimizes risks for all stakeholders.

As the U.S. auto industry continues to drive the truly transformational technologies in electric vehicles and automated driving, we must work diligently, across sectors to ensure that these new technologies are properly safeguarded. The work of the Global Tech Security Commission will be a catalyst in bringing U.S. technology leaders together to not only guard against existing threats to our cutting-edge technology, but also formulate proactive strategies to combat adversarial threats to America’s future technological leadership. So I am honored to have been selected to serve on the Commission, and I am eager to work with leaders from other critical U.S. industries to carry out the important work and mission of the Global Tech Security Commission.

System of systems integration is my research area and my passion; integrating technology and diplomacy for mutual benefit is the grandest manifestation of this approach.

Tech diplomacy will steer the direction of the new economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, whether built on foundations of freedom or control.

The strategic importance of space and near-space technologies for the US cannot be overstated, as it is impossible to envision US national security and economic prosperity without a commitment to ensuring its access to space. If the US fails to lead all aspects of space, including satellite communications, reconnaissance, surveillance, natural resource exploration and acquisition, zero-gravity manufacturing, earth observation, lunar and cislunar exploration and operations, planetary exploration and operations and astrophysical observations, the result would have dire implications for many US industries—such as commercial, financial services, health care, and media—as well as military operations.

Trust is essential in business, all the more so when the exchange involves technological intellectual property that can easily be distributed without due compensation. Software and low-latency networking are the key enablers of advanced manufacturing and robotics and must be developed and deployed securely among trusted partners.

With the growth of the Internet has come an evolution in the connectedness of people across the globe. This has led to policy and governance issues that require understanding of the norms and principles of free nations as well as the technology that influences them today. Government is wholly incapable of navigating these issues alone, and authoritarian regimes are driving technology and policies towards their desired outcomes. To preserve liberty the Global Tech Security Commission and other private and public institutions must work together to derive both technology standards and policies, or watch as the world continues its descent towards authoritarianism.

The U.S. cannot assume any advantage in the AI arms race. To keep up with pacing threats including China, Washington must both accelerate the innovation pipeline and build end-user confidence in AI, through robust testing and validation offered by the private sector. Failure to do so would put the U.S. at a severe disadvantage.

Making complex quantum systems work is the type of challenge that engineers live for — and one that makes a big difference in the world. From foundational science discoveries to combating climate change, quantum engineers are going to build the systems that enable a new range of technologies if we put in the work today, in growing the foundations and depth of the field and the community.