The American Competitiveness Of a More Productive Emerging Tech Economy Act: NIST studies on emerging technologies

In coordination with the Department of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission, The National Institute of Standards and Technology has completed the Congressionally directed (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021) studies on the following technology areas that are expected to be critical to the global competitiveness, economic growth, and national security of the United States in the coming decade: 

• Artificial Intelligence including algorithms, software, hardware, and design patterns—typically requiring substantial data to develop—used to carry out tasks with varying levels of autonomy that would otherwise require intelligent human involvement. The technology is advancing rapidly and has become increasingly pervasive in applications as diverse as autonomous vehicles, pharmaceutical development, personalized healthcare, and facial recognition. 

• Internet of Things and Internet of Things in Manufacturing combines both IoT’s digitally connected network of physical objects and smart manufacturing technologies.  As a well-established technology, the area has a vast range of marketplace applications.

• Quantum Computing's potential to accelerate information processing through leveraging the quantum mechanical properties of physical systems could have a significant impact on the market. Despite rapid technical advancements, sustained investment in research and development over many years likely will be needed to enable the commercialization of QC technology.   

• Blockchain Technology is an approach to digital recordkeeping with distributed ledgers that use lists linked using cryptographic hashes to ensure data fidelity. This technology area has applications in any setting that requires or benefits from ledger updating, transaction recording, and smart or self-executing contracts.  

For each technology area, the American COMPETE Act required (1) a general overview with a focus on Federal Government activities and industry impact on the U.S. economy, (2) a marketplace and supply chain review, (3) recommendations to develop policy and legislative proposals, and (4) a written report.