The White House has released the US National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology to push for international standards to govern artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, quantum computing, biotechnology, navigation tools, digital identity infrastructure, clean energy generation, and quantum information technologies. The US will prioritise efforts for standards development around communication and networking technologies, semiconductors, AI and machine learning, biotechnology, navigation tools, digital identity infrastructure, clean energy generation, and quantum information technologies.
The plan focuses on four key objectives: investment in technological research and development, private sector and academic participation, increased education and training for the US standards workforce, and the “integrity” of standards based on technical merit through fair processes.
The US National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology aims to ensure the technology Americans routinely rely on is universally safe and interoperable. The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration found that approximately 93% of global trade is impacted by standards.
The plan includes future partnerships to accomplish the four goals mentioned in the strategy. The efforts outlined in the strategy will be led by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and involve the State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.
China is not mentioned explicitly, but the strategy is aimed squarely at it. China has expanded the number of technical committees and subcommittees it participates in from 465 in 2005 to 668 in 2021. Chinese officials have shown particular interest in leading organizations creating standards for 5G, a technological arena where they are in a heated battle for supremacy with the US.
While some within the US government have argued that China’s increased participation is actually a positive development, some of their tactics have drawn concern.
The US National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology outlines an inclusive approach to standards development early on the theory that the US, with its partners, really can develop the leading technologies and the leading standards, and they want as many as possible to adopt those.
