The Global Technology Race: Insights from ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker

The United States in the Global Technology Race: Insights from ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's (ASPI) Critical Technology Tracker offers a comprehensive analysis of the global technology race, with a specific focus on the United States. This detailed examination reveals the U.S.'s competitive standing in the world of technology and innovation.

1. The United States' Position in Technology Leadership

The United States is currently ranked second in the majority of the 44 technologies examined by the Critical Technology Tracker. It maintains a lead in pivotal areas such as high-performance computing, quantum computing, and vaccines, highlighting its strengths in crucial sectors of technological advancement. This positioning reflects the U.S.'s ongoing commitment to research and development in these cutting-edge fields​​. 

2. The Competitive Gap Between the U.S. and China

China emerges as the dominant leader in the global technology race, leading in 37 of the 44 technologies evaluated by the Tracker. The country's research output often exceeds that of its closest competitors, including the U.S., by a considerable margin. This disparity indicates a substantial gap between China and the United States, with China significantly ahead in more areas than previously realized. The Tracker's findings underscore the urgency for the U.S. to bolster its efforts in the technology domain to bridge this gap​​.

3. Areas of U.S. Technological Strength

The United States maintains its edge in the design and development of advanced semiconductor devices, a critical component of modern technology. It also leads in the research fields of high-performance computing and advanced integrated circuit design and fabrication. In the medical sector, the U.S. is at the forefront in the development of vaccines and medical countermeasures, evidenced by its significant role in COVID-19 vaccine development and its extensive patent holdings in this area. These strengths reflect the U.S.'s capacity to innovate and lead in specific, crucial technological domains​​.

Conclusion

ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker paints a complex picture of the global technology race, with the United States holding significant positions in key areas but facing stiff competition from China. The data highlights the need for the U.S. to intensify its focus on technology research and development to maintain and advance its position on the global stage. The Tracker serves as a crucial tool for understanding the dynamic landscape of global technology leadership and the strategic steps needed for the U.S. to remain competitive.

This tracker may not be reliable in ascertaining the true nature of technological development / state of the art in the U.S. as this information may not be available to Australian parties.