FACT SHEET: Advancing Technology for Democracy

(March 30, 2023)

The first wave of the digital revolution promised that new technologies would support democracy and human rights. The second saw an authoritarian counterrevolution. Now, the United States and other democracies are working together to ensure that the third wave of the digital revolution leads to a technological ecosystem characterized by resilience, integrity, openness, trust and security, and that reinforces democratic principles and human rights…

Request for Information; Digital Assets Research and Development

(January 26, 2023)

The Federal Government is developing a National Digital Assets Research and Development Agenda. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)—on behalf of the Fast Track Action Committee (FTAC) on Digital Assets Research and Development of the Subcommittee on Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) of the National Science and Technology Council, the National Science Foundation, and the NITRD National Coordination Office—requests public comments to help identify priorities for research and development related to digital assets, including various underlying technologies such as blockchain, distributed ledgers, decentralized finance, smart contracts, and related issues such as cybersecurity and privacy (e.g., cryptographic foundations and quantum resistance), programmability, and sustainability as they relate to digital assets.

NITRD and NAIIO SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRESIDENT’S FY2023 BUDGET

(November 29, 2022)

This document is a supplement to the President’s FY 2023 Budget Request to Congress. Following Congressional mandate, the Supplement incorporates budgetary and programmatic information for member agencies of the NITRD Program and for the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative. This report covers FY 2021 actual, FY 2022 enacted, and FY 2023 requested funding levels by agency and Program Component Area for all NITRD R&D programs. It also describes the key R&D programs and coordination activities planned for FY 2023 by the Federal agencies participating in NITRD. This Supplement reports specific agency investments for FYs 2021–2023 for AI and the National AI Research Institutes and for advanced wireless communications. A separate appendix, the FY 2023 Federal Cybersecurity R&D Strategic Plan Implementation Roadmap, lists existing and proposed R&D projects that address critical national cybersecurity needs (https://www.nitrd.gov/pubs/FY2023-Cybersecurity-RD-Roadmap.pdf).

PCAST Releases Report on Revitalizing the U.S. Semiconductor Ecosystem

(September 27, 2022)

President Biden’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) is recommending ten actions for securing the long-term health and competitiveness of the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem. Released today, a new report expands on the high-level recommendations that PCAST released in a letter to President Biden last month specifying actions the Administration can take to maximize the $11 billion appropriated for semiconductor research and development (R&D) through the CHIPS and Science Act…

Request for Information; Draft National Strategy on Microelectronics Research

(September 20, 2022)

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, on behalf of the Subcommittee on Microelectronics Leadership (SML) of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), requests comments from the public on the Draft National Strategy on Microelectronics Research (referred to in this document as “ the Draft National Strategy ”) and some specific questions relevant to that strategy. The Draft National Strategy is posted at https://www.whitehouse.gov/​wp-content/​uploads/​2022/​09/​SML-DRAFT-Microlectronics-Strategy-For-Public-Comment.pdf. This draft is being released at an intermediate, development stage for the sole and limited purpose to collect public input to inform the work of the SML as it develops the final National Strategy.

Request for Information on the Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan Update

(August 3, 2022)

The NITRD NCO and NSF, as part of the NITRD Big Data interagency working group (BD IWG), request input from all interested parties as the IWG prepares updates to the Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan. Through this RFI, the NITRD NCO seeks input from the public, including academia, government, business, and industry groups of all sizes; those directly performing Big Data research and development (R&D); and those directly affected by such R&D, on ways in which the strategic plan should be revised and improved. The public input provided in response to this RFI will assist the NITRD BD IWG in updating the Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan.

Advancing a Vision for Privacy-Enhancing Technologies

(July 1, 2022)

Imagine a future where researchers can analyze a broad and diverse swath of medical records – without accessing anyone’s private data – to develop tools for physicians to identify early signs of cancer and reduce health disparities. Or a future where cities and states can rapidly share critical public health data with each other without revealing personal information about individuals. Or where smart infrastructure could be optimized to manage traffic flows, while preserving drivers’ privacy during both data collection and analysis. The development of Privacy-Enhancing Technologies, commonly known as “PETs,” can provide a pathway toward this future by leveraging data-driven technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), while preserving privacy.

Request for Information on the Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan Update

(July 1, 2022)

The NITRD NCO and NSF, as part of the NITRD Big Data interagency working group (BD IWG), request input from all interested parties as the IWG prepares updates to the Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan. Through this RFI, the NITRD NCO seeks input from the public, including academia, government, business, and industry groups of all sizes; those directly performing Big Data research and development (R&D); and those directly affected by such R&D, on ways in which the strategic plan should be revised and improved. The public input provided in response to this RFI will assist the NITRD BD IWG in updating the Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan.

NITRD’s 30th Anniversary Symposium Recap – Panel 5: How Technology can Benefit Society: Broadening Perspectives in Fundamental Research

(June 30, 2022)

All the panels featured throughout the day at the NITRD 30th Anniversary Symposium had two common threads: highlighting the astronomical advancements we’ve experienced in computing over the past few decades and mitigating the risks associated with these new advancements. Topics included matters of algorithmic bias, non inclusive technologies, privacy invasions, security risks – the list goes on. One thing the panelists did agree on was that there was hope for change and all discussions touched on a path forward towards more ethical and responsible computing. Moderated by Alondra Nelson (Office of Science and Technology), Panel 5 “How Technology can Benefit Society: Broadening Perspectives in Fundamental Research” featured relevant discussions by panelists, Janet Abbate (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Deborah Estrin (Cornell University), Charles Isbell (Georgia Institute of Technology) and Ramayya Krishnan (Carnegie Mellon University).