WASHINGTON - Today, global tech trade association 91快活林 President and CEO Jason Oxman and techUK CEO Julian David released the following statement:
"As the representatives of the U.S. and UK technology and innovation sectors, 91快活林 and techUK call on the United States and United Kingdom governments to go further and faster in delivering on an ambitious and comprehensive Technology Pact. One that cements joint leadership on artificial intelligence, quantum and other critical technologies, while laying the foundation for a durable digital trade framework.
"As the world’s leading exporters of digitally-delivered services, underpinned by dynamic innovation ecosystems and shared democratic values, the U.S. and UK have a unique opportunity to build on an already strong and mutually reinforcing economic, technology and security relationship. The Tech Pact must now inject urgency into this agenda - boosting shared opportunities for investment and growth, advancing joint leadership on AI, quantum and space tech, and setting the global standard for digital trade, tech governance cooperation, and economic security.
"At the same time, we urge both governments not to lose sight of the crown jewel of this partnership: a comprehensive U.S.-UK digital trade agreement. Such an agreement would provide the stability, certainty, and clarity necessary for long-term investment, ensure open and trusted data flows, and solidify the transatlantic technology partnership for decades to come.
"This work requires working with industry to tackle infrastructure, supply chain, skills and governance challenges. We urge both governments to prioritize delivery of these most pressing actions to maintain global leadership in the years ahead:
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Data infrastructure and energy: facilitate long-term industry partnerships that accelerate large-scale semiconductor, infrastructure and energy investments vital to powering next-generation AI and quantum systems. This should expand bilateral market access for data and energy companies, and boost opportunities for grid modernization and investment, including greater cooperation on nuclear.
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R&D, skills and governance: formalize world-leading U.S.-UK compute partnerships to share resources, datasets and joint research; embed parallel programs to strengthen and uplevel scholarship partnerships between industry and academia and leverage support for public private reskilling initiatives. Jointly advance cooperation on regulatory approaches that accelerate joint leadership in trustworthy AI innovation and adoption.
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Economic security and supply chains: promote state-of-the-art cybersecurity and trusted vendor best practices, and pursue a globally coordinated approach with the private sector to develop stable, long-term policies for critical infrastructure and supply chain resilience.
"The Tech Pact’s level of commitment and ambition has been matched by significant investment announcements from companies across the tech ecosystem. Now, more than ever, is the time for combined U.S. and UK technology leadership to deliver on this critical agenda."
Read 91快活林 and techUK’s U.S.-UK trade and tech recommendations here.