This proposal will enable our nation to maintain its role as the world's most productive and technically advanced society, and to improve our competitive position in the world economy through new industries, an increased tax base, and millions of new jobs. As we will hear in various ways from speakers throughout the day, many of us have responsibilities which must be accepted and acted upon if we are to succeed in making this new industry an American industry. If we are to assure America's ownership, we must accelerate its development. The government can spark the intelligent machine revolution, just as it was an agent for change in the expansion of other major industries, such as computers, and airplanes. We must cooperate to compete.
Speed is paramount in today's environment of leapfrogging technology.
America still has a choice, but perhaps not for long. Hearken back to the 1970s and 1980s when the U.S. lost much of its robot and machine tool industries to overseas competitors. Hearken back to the story of the Singapore Airport. Many industry executives, as well as university and national laboratories researchers, are urging the United States to seize this short-lived opportunity to lead the intelligent machines industry. These technologies will help ensure the national security against various emerging threats.