Are you wondering why this column’s headline is in Chinese? Here’s a hint: The translation is “Time for a National Technology Policy.” China has one. The United States doesn’t.In 1992, I hosted an event at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City titled “The Great Debate: Does the United States Need a Formal Technology Policy?” Panelists included two members of Congress and two high-tech CEOs. Their conclusion: Forget it. The government should stay out of the tech business.In December 2003, CIO asked visitors to its website the same question in a Quick Poll. How times have changed. Now seven in 10 agree: The United States does need a long-term technology policy covering science, education and R&D. What caused this sea change? The World Wide Web.Even though high-speed connectivity isn’t yet globally pervasive, telecommuting has morphed from doing work in your pajamas 10 miles from the office to offshore outsourcers doing the same work halfway around the world, 24/7, at half the cost. The Web and globalization have leveled the playing field for other countries to compete. Some people, including myself, worry how the United States will be able to maintain its technology leadership. We are right to worry. According to the National Science Foundation’s “Science and Engineering Indicators 2003” report, 1.3 million students received degrees from American universities in 2002; only 59,000, or just 5 percent, of those degrees were in engineering. In the same time frame, the People’s Republic of China conferred 568,000 college degrees. But an amazing 220,000?or 39 percent?were engineering degrees. It’s not a coincidence that the Chinese government has promoted technology education for more than two decades. Other countries?India, for example?are putting more emphasis on math, science and engineering education than America is.The United States’s robust capacity to invent and to innovate depends on the influx of new ideas from the next generation. If current trends continue, what aspect of the tech business will America still lead in the future? Will our best technical minds find better opportunities halfway around the world? These are tough questions, with no easy answers. Related content brandpost Sponsored by Freshworks When your AI chatbots mess up AI ‘hallucinations’ present significant business risks, but new types of guardrails can keep them from doing serious damage By Paul Gillin Dec 08, 2023 4 mins Generative AI brandpost Sponsored by Dell New research: How IT leaders drive business benefits by accelerating device refresh strategies Security leaders have particular concerns that older devices are more vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. By Laura McEwan Dec 08, 2023 3 mins Infrastructure Management case study Toyota transforms IT service desk with gen AI To help promote insourcing and quality control, Toyota Motor North America is leveraging generative AI for HR and IT service desk requests. By Thor Olavsrud Dec 08, 2023 7 mins Employee Experience Generative AI ICT Partners feature CSM certification: Costs, requirements, and all you need to know The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification sets the standard for establishing Scrum theory, developing practical applications and rules, and leading teams and stakeholders through the development process. By Moira Alexander Dec 08, 2023 8 mins Certifications IT Skills Project Management Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe