Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan to Drive U.S. Leadership

(NewsUSA) - The United States has fallen behind in applying artificial intelligence to the industrial sector, and changes are needed to maintain America’s national competitiveness, according to a report from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI).

The report identifies several technologies that are key to advanced manufacturing competitiveness:

Industrial AI.  Although American startups and Fortune 500 companies are building or already using industrial AI, the U.S. lacks the large-scale national programs to promote data sharing and training of industrial AI models in public and private sectors.

Robotics. Startups and academic institutions in the U.S. lead the world in robotics innovation, with goals of deploying humanoid robots at scale within the next decade, but China currently leads the world in the deployment of industrial robotics.

Industrial Internet of Things. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms may ultimately allow manufacturers to create whole-factory “operating systems.” While U.S. firms offer scalable IIoT platforms that China has struggled to match, Chinese firms have found their niche in the underlying hardware for these platforms.

Advanced Networks. The spread of public 5G networks continues worldwide. The U.S. and allies continue to take steps to mitigate safety concerns posed by Chinese networking components. However, China is prioritizing 5G networks as a way to increase leadership in the geopolitical tech competition.

In the report, the SCSP offers seven steps for leaders to increase and improve the U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing:

Launch: National moonshots can strengthen the industrial system-of-systems and pilot programs can help strengthen the U.S. industrial base as a whole.

Organize. Policy coordination is needed to support core manufacturing technology innovation programs. SCSP calls for the creation of a White House-level office to enhance policy coordination, and strengthening federal manufacturing programs to bring urgency to the advanced manufacturing agenda.

Innovate. A revitalized approach to research and development funding would promote necessary innovation, according to SCSP. For example, a public-private “focused research organization,” modeled on Bell Labs could accelerate manufacturing technology innovation.

Promote. Innovative programs and financing are needed to promote adoption of advanced manufacturing paradigms, with strategies such as consolidating and leveraging tax policies and credit for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Pushback. The U.S. should build trade alliances with trusted allies and partners to create new markets for U.S. manufacturers, while strengthening economic ties and resisting against the PRC’s anticompetitive practices.

Defend. Defending the U.S. industrial base against AI-enabled cyberattacks requires a new approach to industrial cyberdefense as digitalization expands the attack surface.

Cultivate. More training is needed to address talent shortages and skills gaps. The creation of a one-stop resource would help organizations match talent to job opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more and to read the full National Action Plan for U.S. Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing.