US Must Innovate Faster to Counter China’s Tech Rise, Lawmakers Told

A US congressional hearing on Tuesday issued a stark warning that the United States must accelerate its pace of innovation to keep up with China’s rapidly advancing technological capabilities. Witnesses called for increased investment in artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductor manufacturing, cautioning that cuts to US research funding risk eroding America’s competitive edge. Several lawmakers also criticized the Trump administration for policies they said undermine national interests.

Funding Cuts and Scientist Exodus

“At this very moment, China has overtaken the United States in total R&D spending, while the administration has cancelled or frozen more than 7,800 research grants,” said Representative Kathy Castor, a Democrat from Florida. “Even more concerning, our scientists are leaving our labs and increasingly out of the country.” The hearing highlighted a growing trend of researchers departing for opportunities abroad, a development witnesses described as a direct consequence of reduced federal support for science.

Legislative Efforts and Challenges

Lawmakers and witnesses urged the passage of several key bills aimed at bolstering funding, support, and guardrails for technologies spanning artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, quantum computing, and semiconductors. However, witnesses cautioned that simply passing laws is not a magic bullet. Effective implementation is essential, especially if the US continues to undercut its own strengths through inconsistent policies. For instance, over 1,700 AI-related bills have been introduced across America’s 50 states, creating what witnesses described as a hodgepodge of conflicting rules and incentives that could hamper innovation.

The source for this article is https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3358957/us-must-innovate-faster-counter-chinas-tech-rise-lawmakers-told.