PCAST
Recent Submissions
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Technology and the American Standard of Living
(1992-12)There must be a presidential commitment to American industrial effectiveness—to use technology and scientific knowledge to raise the American standard of living across all demographics. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) briefly outlines steps to bolster American innovation through basic research, commercialization ... -
Science, Technology, and National Security
(1992-12)U.S. science and technology policy must adapt to meet the changing post-Cold War national security environment. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) argues that the principal role of science and technology for national security is to bolster U.S. industrial competitiveness. In order to maintain technological ... -
Renewing the Promise: Research-Intensive Universities and the Nation
(1992-12)The federal government and research-intensive universities must rethink government-university partnerships in light of increasing competing for federal research funding. The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recommends universities strategically select areas of focus, even if this requires the termination of ... -
Megaprojects in the Sciences
(1992-12)Scientific "megaprojects" are essential to national leadership in a number of important scientific fields, but face new organizational and management challenges. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) proposed three major policy recommendations: increase engagement between the government and the scientific community to ... -
Learning to Meet the Science and Technology Challenge
(1992-12)Realizing President George H.W. Bush's 1990 National Education Goals will require new reforms to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recommends the federal government develop national educational standards and a corresponding system for performance ... -
High Performance Computing and Communications Panel Report
(1992-12)The High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Initiative was launched in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush in an effort to secure and extend U.S. leadership in advanced technologies. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology’s (PCAST) assesses HPCC’s program activities along four central issues: program strategy; ... -
Achieving the Promise of the Bioscience Revolution: The Role of the Federal Government
(1992-12)Increased federal investment in the bioscience promotes public health and helps foster a vigorous domestic biotechnology industry. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) examined several facets of federal bioscience policy, including research and development (R&D), education, technology transfer, regulation, and protection ... -
The Fifth Assessment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative
(2014-10)The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was established in 2001 to coordinate federal research and development (R&D) efforts in nanoscale technologies. In this fifth review of the NNI, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) finds that the initiative has reached a “turning point” and NNI should transition its focus ... -
Addendum to the PCAST Report on Forensic Science in Criminal Courts
(2017-01-06)This letter responds to stakeholder input concerning the 2016 PCAST report “Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods.” PCAST reaffirms its commitment to the need for empirically validated scientific evidence of existing forensic practices. PCAST also urges the forensic science community to establish ... -
Big Data: A Technological Perspective
(2014-05)Advances in data collection and analysis on a large scale—termed “big data”—often outpace measures required to protect the privacy of the users that generate such data. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) argues that since technology cannot ensure adequate privacy by itself, policy must be implemented to protect ... -
Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
(2014-09)Effectively combating antibiotic resistance requires a strategy of continual surveillance and analysis of resistant bacteria and an accelerated research and development (R&D) cycle for new antibiotics. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recommends that the federal government take steps to increase resistant bacteria ... -
Information Technology for Targeting Job-Skills Training and Matching Talent to Jobs
(2014-09)The middle-skill jobs of the U.S. workforce—jobs that typically require two-year degrees or certifications—employ the most Americans and, consequently, require special attention to ensure effective adaptation to changing workplace demands. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) argues that the comfortability with ... -
Ensuring Long-Term U.S. Leadership in Semiconductors
(2017-01)United States leadership in the global semiconductor market can only be maintained by innovating faster than international competitors. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) argues that the United States will not only have to adapt to changing markets and increase innovation, but also contend with Chinese industrial ... -
Letter Report on the Sixth Assessment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative
(2017-01)The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was established in 2001 to lead federal government research and development (R&D) efforts in nanoscale technologies and has since become one of its most successful government-wide R&D initiatives. In this sixth review of the NNI, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) finds ... -
Technology and the Future of Cities
(2016-02)Creating new “smart cities” that incorporate innovative information and communication technologies could lead to more efficient use of infrastructure systems, such as energy and water management. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) argues that using data-driven technologies is an effective measure to improve cities, ... -
Science and Technology to Ensure the Safety of the Nation’s Drinking Water
(2016-12)Despite the weaknesses of damaged or outdated infrastructure, new advances in science and technology can be utilized to develop safe and reliable methods for monitoring and treating water systems to ensure clean drinking water. Responding to the Flint, Michigan water crisis that began in 2014, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and ... -
Independence, Technology, and Connection in Older Age
(2016-03)Technology has played an important role in increasing life expectancy, but it also has an important role to play in increasing the quality of life, by maximizing Americans’ ability to function in their later years. Following up from their 2015 report, “Aging America & Hearing Loss: Imperative of Improved Hearing Technologies,” the President’s Council ... -
Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods
(2016-09)Developments in forensic science over the past two decades have called increasing attention to the question of the validity and reliability of some important forms of forensic evidence and of testimony based upon them. In response to President Barack Obama’s charge to identify additional actions to strengthen forensic science, the President’s Council ... -
Action Needed to Protect Against Biological Attack
(2016-11)While the recent and ongoing growth of biotechnology is a great boon for society, new technological advances also hold serious potential for destructive use by both states and technically-competent individuals with access to modern laboratory facilities. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) argues that the current ... -
Aging America & Hearing Loss: Imperative of Improved Hearing Technologies
(2015-10)Age-related hearing loss is a problem for many older Americans, yet widespread adoption of hearing aids are obstructed by high costs, low innovation, and numerous access barriers. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recommends that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adjust regulations to allow for over-the-counter ...
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