February 10, 2023
Biden Brings Semiconductors to the Forefront of Americans’ Minds
President Biden’s State of the Union (SOTU) address brought semiconductors to the forefront of the nation’s attention. Heightened U.S.-China relations, widespread chip shortages, and the weaponization of supply chains for geopolitical purposes have moved semiconductors to the top of U.S. policymakers’ agenda for the first time in decades. On Feb. 7, President Biden attempted to convince the American people that they too should care about the semiconductor industry. Adding to a series of recent semiconductor initiatives, Biden’s SOTU address made chip issues personal for everyday Americans in a clear effort to solicit public support for the administration’s technology agenda.
Public support will be a crucial component of any successful American technology strategy.
Biden’s first reference to semiconductors was made just 10 minutes into the address, explaining them in nontechnical terms as “small computer chips the size of a fingerprint.” Rather than highlighting semiconductors’ importance to advanced electronic warfare systems, autonomous drones, the Javelin missiles that have undermined Russian tanks in the Russia-Ukraine war, or other aspects of national defense, Biden stressed that chips power the consumer products on which Americans depend, “from cellphones to automobiles and so much more.” Chips, in other words, fuel economic prosperity and everyday American life.
Read the full article from Lawfare.
More from CNAS
-
Commentary
Technology & National Security
Sharper: Countering Cyber ThreatsAdvanced AI and quantum capabilities are increasing the cyber threat to critical systems, making the development of proper resilience and responses a national security imperat...
By Charles Horn & Cadence Barker
-
Podcast
Technology & National Security
Spies, Satellites & Startups: Intel in the Digital AgeDr. Anthony Vinci, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and the first Chief Technology Officer and Associate Director for Capabilities at the Nation...
By Anthony Vinci
-
Congressional Testimony
Technology & National Security
A.I. Is Lying to You. Here’s How to Fight Back.A recent study in the scientific journal Nature showed that A.I. dialogue is roughly four times as persuasive as traditional political ads....
By Anthony Vinci
-
Video
Technology & National Security
Open AI Says AI Must Remain Under Human ControlMichelle Nie Duncan, visiting fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, joins BBC News to discuss AI risks. Watch th...
By Michelle Nie
