Technology for America
In conjunction with the Wharton School, the School of Engineering and Applied Science and Penn Washington, the Technology for America project works to develop policy and governance ideas to enable and accelerate technology development and adoption in the United States.
U.S. leadership in critical technologies—such as semiconductors, stealth systems, space technologies, machine learning, and secure communications—has been a cornerstone of both national security and economic prosperity. These capabilities have delivered not only strategic military advantages but also fueled a tech-driven economy that now far outpaces global peers.
Yet, despite this success, the policy framework needed to sustain long-term technological leadership remains underdeveloped.
While the U.S. still leads in innovation, China’s rapid technological leadership remains underdeveloped. While the U.S. still leads in innovation, China’s rapid technological ascent poses growing strategic challenges. To maintain its edge, the U.S. needs a forward-looking policy and governance agenda that supports innovation broadly, not just in isolated sectors.
Through monthly “Technology Action” seminars and salon-style dinners bringing together leaders from industry, academia, and civil society, this project aims to shape a forward-looking policy agenda.Tech for America is led by Michael C. Horowitz, Radha Iyengar Plumb, and Dave Vorland.
Technology for America is part of PWH’s Emerging Technologies and Global Politics project, which focuses on how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cuber, and robotics shape global politics.