LATAM Health Champions, 2024
Innovation plays a critical role in improving public health and in overcoming global health challenges.The call for LATAM Health Champions, which ran from February 5 to March 5, 2024, received more than 60 applications proposing innovative health solutions to a wide range of health challenges. Here, the top 20 are highlighted.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationTechnical and Legal Criteria for Assessing Cloud Trustworthiness
Global data and technology governance will be challenging without cooperation on cloud trustworthiness. Policymakers should avoid simplistic assessments based on nationality and instead develop more holistic assessments based on legal and technical criteria.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationHow Innovative Is China in the ChemicalsIndustry?
China is leading in chemical production, especially basic chemicals. And while it is currently lagging behind on innovation—especially in more complex fine chemicals—all signs suggest it will catch up with the global leaders within the next decade or two.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationWhy Congress Should Enact a Mileage-Based User Fee for Heavy Trucking
With the gradual shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles, it is only a matter of time before the nation will have to replace gas taxes with a vehicle miles traveled system to pay for road maintenance. The most sensible way to start would be with heavy trucks.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationWhy the United States and EU Should Seize the Moment to Cooperate on Cybersecurity Labeling for IoT Devices
The United States and European Union should work through the Trade and Technology Council to align their respective cybersecurity labeling programs for the Internet of Things rather than allowing IoT security to become another technical barrier to trade and technology cooperation.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationNo, Market Leaders Are Not Driving Declines in Innovation and Economic Dynamism
A report by the Economic Innovation Group (EIG) concludes that declining knowledge diffusion is the underlying cause of declining business dynamism. However, its theoretical model is based on flawed assumptions, while its mathematical model has methodological issues.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationHow Federal Funding for Basic Research Spurs Clean Energy Discoveries the World Needs: Eight Case Studies
We need new breakthroughs in clean energy technology to address climate change. Recent discoveries in areas such as nuclear fusion and biofuels illustrate how government investment in early-stage research is a critical part of the process.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationHow Innovative Is China in the RoboticsIndustry?
China does not yet appear to be leading in robotic innovation, but its domestic production and adoption are growing rapidly, and the Chinese government has prioritized the industry. It is likely only a matter of time before Chinese robotics companies catch up to the leading edge.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationNot Again: Why the United States Can’t Afford to Lose Its Biopharma Industry
America’s leadership in advanced-technology industries can never be taken for granted, as evidenced by its losses in telecommunications equipment, semiconductors, televisions, solar panels, and chemicals. Policymakers must recognize what went wrong in those cases to avoid a similar industrial decline in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationSharing Without Daring: Dynamic Spectrum Sharing With Certainty ofAccess
The dichotomy between dynamic spectrum sharing and exclusive licensing is a false one. Reliable, full-power access is possible within a dynamic sharing framework if the FCC auctions super-priority rights to commercial users.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationHow Congress Can Foster a Digital SingleMarket in America
In areas ranging from data privacy to content moderation, states are creating patchworks of regulation that confuse consumers, complicate compliance, and undermine the digital economy. It’s time for Congress to step in and establish a consistent national approach to digital policy.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationAssessing India’s Readiness to Assume aGreater Role in Global Semiconductor Value Chains
India has the potential to play a much more significant role in global semiconductor value chains, provided the government upholds its investment policies, maintains a conducive regulatory and business environment, and avoids measures that create unpredictability.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationUser Safety in AR/VR: Protecting Teens
Teens are some of the enthusiastic early adopters of augmented and virtual reality devices and the metaverse. Their relative lack of maturity and naivete makes them more susceptible to safety threats than adults. Yet, current policy proposals are unlikely to make AR/VR safer and would make online experiences worse overall for both teens and adults.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationAssessing the Dominican Republic’s Readiness to Play a Greater Role in Global Semiconductor and PCB Value Chains
The Dominican Republic is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, offers perhaps the most attractive business environment in Latin America, and is a leading candidate for nearshored investments in advanced manufacturing activity—particularly for electronics such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and the assembly, test, and packaging (ATP) of semiconductors.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationRethinking Concerns About AI’s Energy Use
Concerns about the energy used by digital technologies are not new. With the recent surge in interest in artificial intelligence, people are once again raising questions about the energy use of an emerging technology.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationNational Developmentalism: The Alternative to Neoliberalism and Neo-New Dealism
Neoliberalism’s deficiencies are clear. To address the challenges America now faces, policymakers should adopt the doctrine of national developmentalism and not allow economic policy to swing back toward a revised New Dealism, as it is now doing.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationA Realist Approach to Hydrogen
Clean hydrogen is expensive to produce, difficult to transport, and a second- or third-best clean energy solution in almost all proposed markets. To help drive the global green transition, a realist approach to hydrogen policy must address all these practical challenges.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationThe Hamilton Index, 2023: China Is Running Away With Strategic Industries
China now dominates the strategically important industries in ITIF’s Hamilton Index, producing more than any other nation in absolute terms and more than all but a few others in relative terms. Its gains are coming at the expense of the United States and other G7 and OECD economies, and time is running short for policymakers to mount an industrial comeback.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationMission Innovation, Phase 2: More Failed Aspirations to Fight Climate Change
Twenty-three countries plus the EU pledged in 2015 to double their investments in clean energy RD&D by 2020. Only one met that goal. Undeterred, they announced a new set of pledges in 2021. Two years later, most are still woefully underinvesting in clean energy RD&D.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationDelay Government: How Technology Can Fix Slow Federal Service Delivery
The U.S. government offers slow, outdated services. Congress and federal agencies should invest in digital technology and modernize their approach to service delivery to transform the current delay government into a modern, fast, digital-first government.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationGood and Bad Reasons for Allocating Spectrum to Licensed, Unlicensed, Shared, and Satellite Uses
Policymakers inundated with self-serving arguments for specific spectrum allocation need ways to evaluate which actually advance the public interest. By focusing on the goal of productive spectrum use, one can differentiate between reasoning that would enhance productivity and that which would only advance private interests.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationThe U.S. Approach to Quantum Policy
In the nearly 25 years since the first quantum technologies workshops, quantum information science has advanced and its potential to drive major advances has become more apparent. The U.S. government has rightly recognized that it needs to play an active role in ensuring the nation remains competitive in this critical field.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationExploring Data-Sharing Models to Maximize Benefits From Data
Data-driven innovation has the potential to be a massive force for progress. Data sharing enables organizations to increase the utility and value of the data they control and gain access to additional data controlled by others.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationComparing Canadian and U.S. R&D Leaders in Advanced Sectors
R&D-intensive companies are key to national growth and competitiveness. Canada lags far behind the United States and the rest of the world in R&D-intensive firms. The Canadian government should consider reforming and expanding its SR&ED tax incentive.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationOvercoming Barriers to Data Sharing in the United States
Without policy change, the United States will continue trending toward data siloes—an inefficient world in which data is isolated, and its benefits are restricted.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationBig Tech’s Free Online Services Aren’t Costing Consumers Their Privacy
There is no evidence that breaking up big online platforms will improve digital privacy, but there is overwhelming evidence that breaking up these services or restricting them from collecting user data will harm consumers and workers.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationLatin American Subnational Innovation Competitiveness Index
For policymakers to bolster the global competitiveness of their nations and regions, they first must know where they stand. This report benchmarks the 182 regions of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the United States using 13 commonly available indicators of strength in the knowledge economy, in globalization, and in innovation capacity.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationTransatlantic Subnational Innovation Competitiveness Index 2.0
For policymakers to bolster the global competitiveness of their nations and regions, they first must know where they stand. This report benchmarks the 121 regions of Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and the United States using 13 commonly available indicators of strength in the knowledge economy, globalization, and innovation capacity.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationHow Expanding the Information Technology Agreement to an “ITA-3” Would Bolster Nations’ Economic Growth
Completing a second expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (an “ITA-3”) could bring more than 400 unique ICT products under the ITA’s tariff-eliminating framework, which would add more than $750 billion to the global economy over 10 years.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationHow Skeptics Misconstrue the Link Between Drug Prices and Innovation
A recent article in the British Medical Journal contends “high drug prices” are neither necessary nor justified to sustain biopharmaceutical innovation. But it misrepresents and misinterprets the facts, highlighting how faulty the rationale is for drug price controls.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationComparing Data Policy Priorities Around the World
Instead of duplicating any one approach, U.S. policymakers should borrow from the menu of options to craft a cohesive, pro-innovation data strategy.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationITIF Technology Explainer: DOCSIS 4.0
Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) is an industry standard, set by cable industry group CableLabs, that specifies high-bandwidth data communications. DOCSIS 4.0 is the latest standard.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationPreserving US Biopharma Leadership: Why Small, Research-Intensive Firms Matter in the US Innovation Ecosystem
America is home to 85 percent of the world’s small, research-intensive biopharma firms. These start-ups are critical to drug development and U.S. competitiveness. Congress should make targeted changes to tax policy to incentivize them and maintain U.S. biopharma leadership.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationEnabling Equity: Why Universal Broadband Access Rates Matter
High rates of broadband adoption benefit all of society, yet those who stand to benefit the most are also least likely to be online. Pushing hard for near-universal connectivity is crucial if we want technology to help bridge, rather than widen, existing divides.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationDeveloping an R&D Strategy to Integrate Immersive Learning Into the Classroom
Introducing immersive technologies into classrooms has the potential to make the U.S. education system more effective. But before these technologies are deployed in schools, the federal government should increase R&D investments in key areas that need further research.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationRestoring US Leadership on Digital Policy
The United States could regain its position as a global leader on digital policy by prioritizing a pro-innovation agenda, cooperating with its allies to advance free trade and democratic values, and pushing back against harmful narratives and policies.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationHow the G7 Can Use “Data Free Flow With Trust” to Build Global Data Governance
The G7 should develop a pragmatic agenda to bring the “Data Free Flow with Trust” initiative to life. If it doesn’t, building an open, rights-respecting, and innovative global digital economy only gets harder as China and others fill the vacuum from the lack of global digital cooperation.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationInnovation Wars: How China Is Gaining on the United States in Corporate R&D
China wants to displace the United States as the world’s leading innovation economy. Business R&D in advanced, traded-sector industries is a key indicator of its progress—and it is catching up rapidly. Congress and U.S. state governments should respond by boosting R&D tax incentives.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationThe National Economic Council Gets It Wrong on the Roles of Big and Small Firms in U.S. Innovation
A new White House report insinuates that small firms are America’s true innovators. Advancing this narrative makes it easier to advance an anticorporate antitrust agenda, including banning all mergers. However, scholarly studies and data do not support the administration’s premise.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationSustain Affordable Connectivity By Ending Obsolete Broadband Programs
New broadband funding programs necessitate dramatic reforms to old programs. We should reverse the status quo and sustain the Affordable Connectivity Program by shrinking the redundant hodgepodge of federal broadband programs.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationThe Hidden Toll of Drug Price Controls: Fewer New Treatments and Higher Medical Costs for the World
When nations implement pharmaceutical price controls, they reduce pharmaceutical revenues, which then reduces investments in further R&D, limiting future generations’ access to new novel treatments needed to fight diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and diabetes.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationBeyond Force: A Realist Pathway Through the Green Transition
Trying to force adoption of clean energy with subsidies, regulations, and exhortations will fail. The only realistic way to spur the green transition is to develop clean technologies that can reach effective price and performance parity with dirty ones. Then markets will adopt them at scale.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationInnovation Amplifiers: Getting More Bang for the Buck on GHG Reductions
The pace of GHG reductions needs to greatly accelerate. Recent investments are a great start but are not sufficient. We need to amplify the current investments to achieve clean energy as the norm and improve competitiveness.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationWhy Policymakers Should Support Robotic Automation to Solve the Productivity Crunch in Logistics Facilities
As consumers continue to buy more goods online, logistics facilities will face greater demand to deliver goods across the country in a timely manner. Policymakers should promote robotic adoption and innovation to improve labor productivity, worker safety, delivery times, and supply chain resiliency.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationInitial Findings of the India Semiconductor Readiness Assessment Report
While India brings significant strengths to the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem; it can become a strong global player by further addressing investment barriers such as the business environment, customs/tariffs, taxation, and infrastructure.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationIndia Semiconductor Readiness Assessment Report: Initial Findings
While India brings significant strengths to the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem; it can become a strong global player by further addressing investment barriers such as the business environment, customs/tariffs, taxation, and infrastructure.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationClosing the Trucking Gaps: Priorities for the Department of Energy’s RD&D Portfolio
Transitioning heavy-duty trucks to net-zero emissions is an important yet formidable challenge. Expanded RD&D support is needed to meet emission goals at price-performance parity.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationLosing the Lead: Why the United States Must Reassert Itself as a Global Champion for Robust IP Rights
Arguments for weakening IP rights have been gaining traction in the United States to enable a redistribution agenda. But spurring U.S. competitiveness, supporting American jobs, and advancing innovation will require the federal government to step up its game in defense of a more robust global IP regime.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationClimate-Tech to Watch: Clean Steel
Lower carbon steel is vital to the energy transition. It’s a long journey to decarbonize steel, and with competition being fierce, supportive RD&D and trade policies will be vital to success.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationReviving and Reimagining the Federal Data Strategy for Mission Success
The Federal Data Strategy suffers from a lack of leadership and fails to link its well-defined principles and practices to government-wide and agency-level missions. The Biden administration must revive and reimagine it in order to succeed in transforming the federal government into a 21st century organization.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationHow to Restore Limiting Principles for “Unfair Methods of Competition” in Antitrust Law
The FTC has granted itself the power to bring antitrust enforcement actions based on amorphous and politically motivated ideas of “fairness.” There should instead be a uniform standard for what constitutes fairness in both consumer protection and competition policy.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationEnergizing Innovation in Fiscal Year 2024
The FY 2024 budget request, if met, could maintain bipartisan momentum for clean energy innovation. Congress should support that innovation to foster domestic clean energy industries that can compete globally, minimize foreign dependencies, and address climate change.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationThe Great Revealing: Taking Competition in America and Europe Seriously
With its provocative claim that America now has less economic competition than the EU, Thomas Philippon’s book The Great Reversal has become a bible for neo-Brandeisians. But reports of the death of competition in America are highly exaggerated: While U.S. antitrust remains effective, EU competition policy has failed to stimulate innovation, productivity, or growth.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationTransforming Global Trade and Development With Digital Technologies
Digital technologies have transformed global commerce and raised living standards. By better aligning global trade rules to foster growth in digital technologies, economic and social benefits can be widely distributed.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationDigital Equity 2.0: How to Close the Data Divide
Unlike the digital divide, many ignore the data divide or argue that the way to close it is to collect vastly less data. But without substantial efforts to increase data representation and access, certain individuals and communities will be left behind in an increasingly data-driven world.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationWhy Merger Guidelines Must Do More to Support Productivity, Innovation, and Global Competitiveness
Antitrust authorities want to revise merger guidelines based on dubious theories of potential harm that fail to recognize how many mergers foster innovation, productivity, and U.S. global competitiveness. New merger guidelines should better account for these considerations.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationThe Internet Isn’t Destroying Journalism; It’s Restructuring the News Business
Defending Digital Series, No. 17: Last year’s defeat of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA) has led to predictable handwringing about the future of the news business. Both history and recent events suggest that such fears will prove unwarranted.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationThe Digital Inclusion Outlook: What It Looks Like and Where It’s Lacking
Achieving digital inclusion requires a comprehensive understanding of the digital divide and standardized methods for addressing related topics such as reasons for nonadoption and digital illiteracy—but in getting people online, individualized approaches are the way to go.
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationTech Panics, Generative AI, and the Need for Regulatory Caution
Exaggerated and misleading concerns about generative artificial intelligence have crowded out reasonable discussion about the technology, generating a familiar, yet unfortunate, “tech panic.”
Information Technology and Innovation FoundationNFTs: US Policies and Priorities in 2023
Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, offer unique policy challenges. While the United States has taken some important steps to address the potential risks and benefits of the technology, there is more policymakers can do to protect consumers while encouraging innovation.
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation