Federal Research Investment and Innovation in Information Technology: A Virtuous Cycle.

The article argues that sustained federal investment is a strategic necessity—critical not only for continued scientific progress but also for national security, global competitiveness, and the long-term vitality of the U.S. technology ecosystem. The author suggests that federal funding for basic, h...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Communications of the ACM Vol. 68; no. 12; pp. 55 - 58
Autor principal: Hennessy, John
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Association for Computing Machinery Dec2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The article argues that sustained federal investment is a strategic necessity—critical not only for continued scientific progress but also for national security, global competitiveness, and the long-term vitality of the U.S. technology ecosystem. The author suggests that federal funding for basic, high-risk computing research has been the driving force behind many of America’s most transformative technologies, including the Internet, modern AI, RISC architecture, Wi-Fi–enabling algorithms, and software-defined networking and that by supporting fundamental inquiry, training new generations of technical talent, and enabling ideas too early or uncertain for private-sector investment, federal agencies create a virtuous cycle that fuels innovation, economic growth, and the emergence of entire industries.