Lawmakers Introduce Bill Mandating Public-Private Cooperation on Emerging Technology Development

A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would mandate federal agencies to prioritize private sector collaboration to ensure the U.S. remains on top of technological advancements. 

On Thursday, Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., filed the Future of AI Innovation Act, which they said would help ensure that the nation retains its global leadership in emerging technologies through public-private sector cooperation. 

If enacted, the Act will allocate more funds to the National Institutes of Standards and Technology as it works to create standards needed for developing artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other emerging technologies, Nextgov/FCW reported.

Young said in a press statement that the Act will initiate an important partnership for the government, creating opportunities to work with industry and academia in voluntary standards development and creating best practices to ensure the future of innovation.

The federal government has been tapping the private sector’s expertise to address various challenges. The Department of Energy’s Pathways to Commercial Liftoff is one example of such an initiative. The program encourages greater cooperation between the two sectors to generate new business opportunities and ensure the nation’s leadership in clean power technology development.