A new report has just been released by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in conjunction with Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy that addresses America’s relative strength in science, engineering, technology and innovation, including research and development, compared with that of the Peoples Republic of China. Bearing the title “The Perils of Complacency: America at a Tipping Point in Science and Engineering,” the report updates an earlier study and concludes that the modest U.S. lead in science and engineering previously cited is rapidly closing, with China now surpassing the United States in a number of significant indicators. The two reports were prepared by the same group of scientists, engineers, businesspersons and former government leaders.
The new report addresses four measures of scientific and engineering assets: financial capital, human capital, knowledge capital, and the R&D and innovation ecosystem. China has stated its intention to become a leader in a number of fields of science and technology, with particular focus on artificial intelligence—and is devoting funds and talent to do so. The report notes the remarks of Wen Jiabao, former Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, that “The history of modernization is, in essence, a history of scientific and technological progress. Inventions have brought about new civilizations, modern industries, and the rise and fall of nations… I firmly believe that science is the ultimate revolution.”
America’s total investment in R&D as a fraction of GDP has remained stagnant, in the vicinity of 2.7 percent for nearly a half century, a time during which the impact of science and technology has burgeoned. Other nations, especially China, have accelerated their commitments to science and engineering such that the United States has fallen to tenth place among developed nations in the fraction of GDP devoted to R&D (public and private). While the federal government’s share of the nation’s total R&D spending has declined in recent years from about two-thirds to under one-third, industry, responding to demands for near-term returns, has focused on development rather than research, leaving many of industry’s once-renowned laboratories to decline or even close. The prime example is Bell Laboratories, home of the laser, transistor and 12 Nobel Laureates, the remnants of which are now owned by a Finnish firm.
Particular concern is raised in the report over the future size and quality of the U.S. R&D workforce, given the far greater population of China, its commitment to education and its emphasis on science and engineering. According to the most highly recognized international test of student performance (PISA), U.S. 15-year-olds rank 25th in combined reading, science and mathematics score among the 31 participants in the test. China is now producing over twice as many baccalaureate-level graduates in science and engineering as is the United States, and the number and quality of its universities and research laboratories is steadily increasing.
The report notes the immense contribution to America’s scientific and engineering enterprise that is made by foreign-born individuals who receive their higher education at America’s universities and elect to remain, raise their families and contribute to the nation’s economy and overall wellbeing. In recent years, about one-third of all Ph.D. recipients in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) awarded by U.S. universities were born abroad. Notably, nearly half of U.S. Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants. This highlights not only the importance of continuing to attract such individuals to America and encouraging them to remain and contribute, but also to increasing the level of interest and qualifications of America’s youth to pursue careers in science and engineering.
The report concludes with a number of recommendations. These include increasing federal investment in basic research by 50%, from 0.2 to 0.3 percent of GDP, and increasing national investment in R&D (public and private) to 3.3 percent of GDP. It also includes recommendations focused on STEM education, workforce, and policies that are holding back progress in scientific discovery and innovation. It states that failing to accept these or similar actions portends serious consequences for the U.S. economy and national security, particularly given the rapid pace of advances occurring in the fields of science and technology. Of note, it took slightly over 50 years for the automobile to penetrate from 20 to 80 percent of America’s homes; the already ubiquitous iPhone was introduced only 13 years ago.
