Tech
Joe Biden’s record on science and tech: Investments and regulation for vaccines, broadband, microchips and AI
The Biden administration’s focus on science and technology has led to substantial investments in semiconductor manufacturing and clean energy, aiming to enhance U.S. competitiveness and innovation while addressing public health challenges.
Mark Zachary Taylor, Georgia Institute of Technology
In evaluating the outgoing Biden administration, much news has focused on inflation, immigration or Hunter’s laptop. But as an expert on national competitiveness in science and technology, I have a somewhat different emphasis. My research shows that U.S. prosperity and security depend heavily on the country’s ability to produce cutting-edge science and tech.
So, how did the Biden administration perform along these lines?
Advancing pandemic science and tech
President Joe Biden’s immediate challenge after inauguration was to end the COVID-19 pandemic and then shift the economy back to normal operations.
First, he threw the weight of his administration behind vaccine production and distribution. Thanks to President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed, inoculations had begun mid-December 2020. But there had been no national rollout, and no plans existed for one. When Biden took office, only about 5% of Americans had been vaccinated.
The Biden administration collaborated with private retail chains to build up cold storage and distribution capacity. To ensure adequate vaccine supply, Biden worked to support the major pharmaceutical manufacturers. And throughout, Biden conducted a public relations campaign to inform, educate and motivate Americans to get vaccinated.
Within the first 10 weeks of Biden’s presidency, one-third of the U.S. population had received at least one dose, half by the end of May, and over 70% by year’s end. And as Americans got vaccinated, travel bans were lifted, schools came back into session, and business gradually returned to normal.
A later study found that Biden’s vaccination program prevented more than 3.2 million American deaths and 18.5 million hospitalizations, and saved US$1.15 trillion in medical costs and lost economic output.
In the wake of the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden signed two bills with direct and widespread impacts on science and technology. Previous administrations had promised infrastructure investments, but Biden delivered. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed with bipartisan support during late 2021, provided $1.2 trillion for infrastructure of all types.
Rather than just rebuilding, the act prioritized technological upgrades: clean water, clean energy, rural high-speed internet, modernization of public transit and airports, and electric grid reliability.
In August 2022, Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, totaling $739 billion in tax credits and direct expenditures. This was the largest climate change legislation in U.S. history. It implemented a vast panoply of subsidies and incentives to develop and distribute the science and tech necessary for clean and renewable energy, environmental conservation and to address climate change.
Science and tech marquees and sleepers
Some Biden administration science and technology achievements have been fairly obvious. For example, Biden successfully pushed for increased federal research and development funding. Federal R&D dollars jumped by 25% from 2021 to 2024. Recipients included the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, NASA and the Department of Defense. In addition, Biden oversaw investment in emerging technologies, such as AI, and their responsible governance.
Biden also retained or raised Trump’s tariffs and continued his predecessor’s skepticism of new free-trade agreements, thereby cementing a protectionist turn in American trade policy. Biden’s addition was to add protectionist industrial policy – subsidies for domestic manufacturing and innovation, as well as “buy-American” mandates.
Other accomplishments have been more under the radar. For example, within the National Science Foundation, Biden created a Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships to improve U.S. economic competitiveness. Its tasks are to speed the development of breakthrough technologies, to accelerate their transition into the marketplace, and to reskill and upskill American workers into high-quality jobs with better wages.
Biden implemented policies aimed at strengthening and improving federal scientific integrity to help citizens feel they can trust federally funded science and its use. He also advanced new measures to improve research security, aimed at keeping federally funded research from being improperly obtained by foreign entities.
The CHIPS & Science Act
The jewel in the crown of Biden’s science and tech agenda was the bipartisan Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act, meant to strengthen U.S. manufacturing capabilities in advanced semiconductor chips. It has awarded about $40 billion to American chip producers, prompting an additional $450 billion in private investment in over 90 new manufacturing projects across 28 states.
Directed at everything from advanced packaging to memory chips, the CHIPS Act’s subsidies have reduced the private costs of domestic semiconductor production. CHIPS also pushes for these new manufacturing jobs to go to American workers at good pay. Whereas the U.S. manufactured few of the most advanced chips just two years ago, the industry expects the United States to possess 28% of global capacity by 2032.
Less well known are the “science” parts of the CHIPS Act. For example, it invested half a billion dollars in dozens of regional innovation and technology hubs across the country. These hubs focus on a broad range of strategic sectors, including critical materials, sustainable polymers, precision medicine and medical devices. Over 30 tech hubs have already been designated, such as the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub in Denver and the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub.
The CHIPS Act also aims to broaden participation in science. It does so by improving the tracking and funding of research and STEM education to hitherto underrepresented Americans – by district, occupation, ethnicity, gender, institution and socioeconomic background. It also attempts to extend the impact of federally funded research to tackle global challenges, such as supply chain disruptions, resource waste and energy security.
Missed opportunities and future possibilities
Despite these achievements, the Biden administration has faced criticism on the science and tech front. Some critics allege that U.S. research security is still not properly defending American science and technology against theft or counterfeit by rivals.
Others insist that federal R&D spending remains too low. In particular, they call for more investment in U.S. research infrastructure – such as up-to-date laboratories and data systems – and emerging technologies.
The administration’s government-centered approach to AI has also drawn criticism as stifling and wrong-headed.
Personally, I am agnostic on these issues, but they are legitimate concerns. In my opinion, science and technology investments take considerable time to pan out, so early judgments of Biden’s success or failure are probably premature.
Nevertheless, the next administration has its work cut out for it. International cooperation will likely be key. The most vexing global problems require science and technology advances that are beyond the ability of any single country. The challenge is for the United States to collaborate in ways that complement American competitiveness.
National priorities will likely include the development of productive and ethical AI that helps the U.S. to be more competitive, as well as a new quantum computing industry. Neuroscience and “healthspan” research also hold considerable promise for improving U.S. competitiveness while transforming Americans’ life satisfaction.
Keeping the whole American science and technology enterprise rigorous will require two elements from the federal government: more resources and a competitive environment. American greatness will depend on President-elect Trump’s ability to deliver them.
Mark Zachary Taylor, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Tech
T-Mobile, MeetMo, and NantStudios Win Prestigious 2025 Lumiere Award for Revolutionary Las Vegas Grand Prix Formula One Fan Experience
The world of motorsports just took a giant leap into the future! Excitement is in the air as T-Mobile, MeetMo, and NantStudios have clinched the illustrious 2025 Lumiere Award for Best Interactive Experience from the Advanced Imaging Society. This accolade is in recognition of their pioneering immersive video experience for fans at the celebrated Las Vegas Grand Prix!
A Game-Changing Experience
Imagine being able to step into a race track from the comfort of your own home, enveloped in a 360-degree augmented reality tour of the circuit, all captured in breathtaking 12K footage. Thanks to this remarkable collaboration, fans can now enjoy a race experience like never before, made possible by a spectacular fusion of 5G technology, virtual production, and artificial intelligence.
“By combining T-Mobile’s 5G Advanced Network Solutions with our real-time collaboration technology, we’ve created an immersive experience that brings fans closer to the action than ever before,” expressed Michael Mansouri, CEO of Radiant Images and MeetMo. His enthusiasm is shared by many, as this innovative project is seen as a quantum leap forward in the way motorsports are experienced.
The Technical Marvel Behind the Magic
Highlighting their technological finesse, the project transformed over 1.5TB of data into a stunningly interactive experience in mere hours—a feat that previously would have taken months. The journey began at the NantStudios headquarters in Los Angeles, where more than 10 minutes of ultra-high definition, immersive sequences were blended with telemetry and driver animation data captured tirelessly by Radiant Images’ crews in Las Vegas.
The astounding speed and efficiency were primarily powered by T-Mobile’s robust 5G infrastructure, allowing for rapid data transfers back and forth, ensuring seamless integration into the interactive app that fans could access. Chris Melus, VP of Product Management for T-Mobile’s Business Group, proudly remarked, “This collaboration broke new ground for immersive fan engagement.”
The Power of 5G
The integration of T-Mobile’s advanced network solutions turned the Las Vegas Grand Prix into a case study of innovation. With real-time capture and transmission capabilities utilizing Radiant Images’ cutting-edge 360° 12K camera car, production crews were able to capture immersive video feeds and transmit them instantaneously over the 5G network. This meant remote camera control and instant footage reviews, drastically cutting production time and resources.
Moreover, the seamless AR integration—thanks to the creative minds at NantStudios and their work with Unreal Engine—allowed the blending of virtual and real-world elements. Fans were treated to augmented reality overlays displaying real-time data, such as dashboard metrics and telemetry, all transmitted through the reliable 5G network.
Future of Fan Engagement
As Jim Chabin, President of the Advanced Imaging Society, eloquently noted, the remarkable work at the Las Vegas Grand Prix has set new standards for interactive sports entertainment. The recognition given to this innovative team underscores their commitment to pushing the envelope in immersive experiences.
Gary Marshall, Vice President of Virtual Production at NantStudios, also highlighted the project’s importance: “This recognition underscores NantStudios’ legacy of pioneering real-time VFX and virtual production achievements, reaffirming our position as a leader in modern virtual production.”
The 2025 Lumiere Award is not just a trophy; it symbolizes the melding of creativity and technology in a way that elevates the fan experience to new heights. The collaboration between T-Mobile, MeetMo, and NantStudios exemplifies a thrilling future where motorsports become more accessible, engaging, and immersive. It’s a thrilling time to be a fan, and the development teams behind this innovation have truly set a new standard for content creators everywhere.
With such defining moments in sports entertainment, we can’t help but wonder what spectacular innovations lie ahead. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride!
About the Companies
MeetMo
MeetMo.io is revolutionizing how creative professionals collaborate by combining video conferencing, live streaming, and AI automation into a single, intuitive platform. With persistent virtual meeting rooms that adapt to users over time, our platform evolves into a true collaborative partner, enhancing creativity and productivity. For more information please visit: https://www.meetmo.io
Radiant Images
Radiant Images is a globally acclaimed, award-winning technology provider specializing in innovative tools and solutions for the media and entertainment industries. The company focuses on advancing cinema, immersive media, and live production. https://www.radiantimages.com
T-Mobile
T-Mobile US, Inc.(NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and indisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com
NantStudios
NantStudios is the first real time-native, full-service production house; re-imagined from the ground up to deliver exceptional creative results through next generation technologies like Virtual Production. For more information please visit: https://nantstudios.com
SOURCE MeetMo
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Tech
How close are quantum computers to being really useful? Podcast
Quantum computers could revolutionize science by solving complex problems. However, scaling and error correction remain significant challenges before achieving practical applications.
Quantum computers have the potential to solve big scientific problems that are beyond the reach of today’s most powerful supercomputers, such as discovering new antibiotics or developing new materials.
But to achieve these breakthroughs, quantum computers will need to perform better than today’s best classical computers at solving real-world problems. And they’re not quite there yet. So what is still holding quantum computing back from becoming useful?
In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to quantum computing expert Daniel Lidar at the University of Southern California in the US about what problems scientists are still wrestling with when it comes to scaling up quantum computing, and how close they are to overcoming them.
Quantum computers harness the power of quantum mechanics, the laws that govern subatomic particles. Instead of the classical bits of information used by microchips inside traditional computers, which are either a 0 or a 1, the chips in quantum computers use qubits, which can be both 0 and 1 at the same time or anywhere in between. Daniel Lidar explains:
“Put a lot of these qubits together and all of a sudden you have a computer that can simultaneously represent many, many different possibilities … and that is the starting point for the speed up that we can get from quantum computing.”
Faulty qubits
One of the biggest problems scientist face is how to scale up quantum computing power. Qubits are notoriously prone to errors – which means that they can quickly revert to being either a 0 or a 1, and so lose their advantage over classical computers.
Scientists have focused on trying to solve these errors through the concept of redundancy – linking strings of physical qubits together into what’s called a “logical qubit” to try and maximise the number of steps in a computation. And, little by little, they’re getting there.
In December 2024, Google announced that its new quantum chip, Willow, had demonstrated what’s called “beyond breakeven”, when its logical qubits worked better than the constituent parts and even kept on improving as it scaled up.
Lidar says right now the development of this technology is happening very fast:
“For quantum computing to scale and to take off is going to still take some real science breakthroughs, some real engineering breakthroughs, and probably overcoming some yet unforeseen surprises before we get to the point of true quantum utility. With that caution in mind, I think it’s still very fair to say that we are going to see truly functional, practical quantum computers kicking into gear, helping us solve real-life problems, within the next decade or so.”
Listen to Lidar explain more about how quantum computers and quantum error correction works on The Conversation Weekly podcast.
This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware with assistance from Katie Flood and Mend Mariwany. Sound design was by Michelle Macklem, and theme music by Neeta Sarl.
Clips in this episode from Google Quantum AI and 10 Hours Channel.
You can find us on Instagram at theconversationdotcom or via e-mail. You can also subscribe to The Conversation’s free daily e-mail here.
Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.
Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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