Commerce Department

Digital Economy Agenda 

Alan Davidson, Director of Digital Economy

February 2016
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Topics for Discussion

Our agenda today includes:

• The Digital Economy: Motivating Ideas

• Grand Challenges and Opportunities

• Digital Economy Activities and Priorities for 2016

• Structural Initiatives

• Questions for Discussion
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The Digital Economy: Key to Prosperity and Competitiveness

The Internet and digital economy are a critical part of the future success of the broader 

American economy. They are a source of jobs; an enabler of global trade; and a key 

element of U.S. competitiveness. 

• The digital economy already accounts for over five percent of gross domestic product 

in the U.S. [BCG], but that number does not capture its true potential.

• Experts estimate that digitization has the potential to boost annual U.S. GDP up to 

$2.2 trillion by 2025. [MGI]

• The United States is the largest global exporter of services, exporting $662 billion in 

2013. [USDoC]

But we cannot take this kind of success for granted. 
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The Digital Economy Agenda

• The Commerce Department has rolled out an agency-wide Digital Economy Agenda to 

ensure America’s businesses and consumers thrive at a time of rapid technological 

change and global competition. 

• This initiative builds on the work of the Department’s 12 bureaus and nearly 47,000 

employees located in all 50 states and more than 86 countries worldwide, and 

compliments the Department’s innovation agenda and data initiatives.

• The Digital Economy Agenda is designed to create a coordinated, strategic 

Department-wide program of work to support American industry and consumers, and 

the transformative power of the Internet and other digital technology. 
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Framework: Grand Policy Challenges

1. Global free exchange of information - A free and open global Internet, with minimal 

barriers to the flow of data and services across borders, is the lynchpin of the digital 

economy’s success. 

2. Trust and security online – American business needs a framework at home that will 

promote global trust, and international rules that do not unfairly burden American 

firms. 

3. Access and skills – American businesses and consumers need fast infrastructure, and 

a workforce skilled to thrive in a digitized global economy. 

4. Innovation and emerging technologies – Commerce can play a role in supporting 

innovation, including good IP rules. Opportunities exist to support new technologies 

and identify long-term policy issues early in the development life cycle. 
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Free and Open 

Internet

Opportunities and Policy Priorities for 2016

Cross-border data flows – Expand programs to support the free flow of digital trade. 

IANA transition – Complete IANA transition with suitable accountability. 

EU Digital Single Market – Engage with EU on DSM initiatives and impact on U.S. firms. 

Trust and Security

Access and Skills

Innovation and 

Emerging 

technologies

Patent reform – Support patent litigation reform legislation, improve patent quality. 

Commerce “Policy Labs” – Launch projects to support promising new technologies and 

consider their policy implications early in the development life cycle. Initial working groups on 

autonomous cars, UAS, and Internet of Things. 

Commerce Department Digital Economy Agenda

EU Privacy Safe Harbor – Successfully conclude negotiations and garner EU approval.

Cybersecurity – Expand use of NIST Cybersecurity Framework. 

Lawful access to data – Engage on ECPA reform, national encryption conversation. 

Data privacy – Complete NTIA’s multi-stakeholder processes on drones, security. 

Broadband access – Broadband Opportunity Council, BroadbandUSA, and the President’s 

500MHz spectrum initiatives.

Skill-building for the digital economy – Promote skill-building initiatives such as National 

Initiative for Cyber Education (NICE). 
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Digital Economy: Structural Initiatives

In addition to the policy priorities above, Commerce is seeking to build its digital 

economy capacities and structures with several initiatives including:

1. Digital Economy Board of Advisors – a high-level FACA-based board to advise the 

Secretary and Department on the business and technology dynamics in the digital 

economy. 

1. 21st Century Export Assistance – centers of leadership on digital economy issues 

within the Foreign Commercial Service and other elements of the International 

Trade Administration. 

2. Commerce “Policy Labs” – a program to coordinate work within Commerce on 

promising new technologies and business sectors, promoting growth opportunities 

and identifying policy challenges. Initial working groups on autonomous vehicles, 

UAS, and the “Internet of Things.” 
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Questions and Thank You

For further information, please contact Alan Davidson at <adavidson@doc.gov> or 

Winter Casey at <wcasey@ntia.doc.gov>.