Exclusive: Scientists to pitch Washington on revitalizing sector
Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios
A task force is launching to help the incoming government update the U.S. vision for science and tech.
Why it matters: Concerns are mounting about the country's position as a scientific powerhouse, and an election year could provide a window of opportunity to inject new life into the sector.
State of play: The group of scientists, CEOs, university presidents and former elected officials plans to circulate its draft Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST) to transition teams in the next administration and Congress before presenting a final report early in 2025.
- "We're really on the cusp of an incredible opportunity in the science and technology space," says Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and chair of the VAST task force.
- "We also are at this space where, by making mistakes because we don't understand what the ecosystem actually looks like, we can shoot ourselves in the foot."
The task force is currently identifying areas where they will make recommendations, but has already zeroed in on some ideas, including:
- A modern version of the 1958 National Defense Education Act that would focus on developing STEM talent, especially in K-12 education.
- Fostering collaboration between industry and government and facilitating the movement of scientists between the two.
- Following through on the CHIPS and Science Act money that has been authorized, but not appropriated.
AI, for example, is one area where there's an infrastructure gap, said IBM Research senior vice president and director Darío Gil.
- "We see an infrastructure gap where essentially the only part of that ecosystem that has the resources required to push the state of the art is the business sector," said Gil, who is also part of the task force.
Another key question is to what extent the U.S. should prioritize certain areas of research.
- "At some basic level, we need to fund all areas of scientific inquiry, because you never know where the next huge breakthrough is going to come from," said Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Science and a task force member.
- But some need further investment sometimes, and "there's just no formula for deciding," she noted.
Between the lines: The U.S. has avoided central planning of research and innovation, a key distinction from China's approach.
- It's a sensitive subject among scientists who worry about government prescribing scientific breakthroughs they deem necessary.
- The task force isn't calling for central planning, but rather the coordination of different approaches to solving a common problem.
The bottom line: "What got us to this preeminent position won't keep us in it going forward," said Parikh.
- Maintaining an edge in science allows the U.S. to compete with China, grow the domestic economy and potentially help solve global problems, while fostering the good will that can come with scientific diplomacy.
