Emerging Technologies - What is the Federal Government Spending on?
Marion Square has lead several conversations over the past few months focusing on the opportunity for emerging technologies in Government. (Livestream (carahsoft.com) Webinar Recording: Emerging Technologies | Effective Go To Market Strategies for Government — Marion Square (marion-square.com)) Our research indicates that the number of innovative programs, offices, and their associated budgets, focusing on emerging technology, particularly technology provided by small business, continues to increase each year.
Marion Square continues to highlight the importance of not only understanding the landscape regarding budgets, funded programs, and initiatives, but also the criticality of ensuring your message and go to market sales motions are "tuned" for a Government audience.
This blog post highlights a couple of specific technologies that I believe fall into the emerging category. There are two main technologies which the data shows the Government is focusing on from an R&D and innovation perspective.
AI/ML
Quantum
AI/ML:
This technology space is by far the largest from a funding perspective and has come to the forefront over the last couple of years. Many Federal agencies have stood up program offices focused exclusively on the use of AI/ML in areas ranging from computer vision to cyber security and big data analytics. The Brookings institute published a study focusing on AI/ML contracts within the US Federal Government. ( Understanding artificial intelligence spending by the U.S. federal government (brookings.edu)) The study found 15 different funding agencies for AI/ML related contracts. The most engaged agencies for funding are the Department of Defense (DoD), Health and Human Services (HHS), and NASA.
Dept of Defense (DoD):
Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) in 2018 to accelerate the delivery of AI-enabled capabilities across DOD. JAIC’s budget increased from $89 million in fiscal year 2019 to $242.5 million in fiscal year 2020, to $278.2 million for fiscal year 2021.
CDAO - Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (ai.mil) The CDAO will perform several critical functions in close coordination with the Services, Joint Staff, CIO, USD (R&E), and other digital leaders:
Lead the Department’s strategy and policy on data, analytics, and AI adoption, as well as govern and oversee efforts across the Department.
Enable the development of digital and AI-enabled solutions across the Department, while also selectively scaling proven solutions for enterprise and joint use cases.
Provide a sophisticated cadre of technical experts that serve as a de facto data and digital response force able to address urgent crises and emerging challenges with state of the art digital solutions.
Veterans Administration - specifically VHA and their Office of Research and Development which is responsible for the National Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII) (va.gov) which spearheads the Departments efforts into AI/ML and provides the agencies AI strategy and priorities Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy (va.gov). The VA's recent strategic plan stated "AI funding is a priority: Further, by prioritizing VA funding for Artificial Intelligence research, VA researchers can have a tremendous impact on the pace and direction of AI and AI-enabled research for the foreseeable future".
NASA- JPL is the lead for NASA's AI related research activities.(JPL Artificial Intelligence Group (nasa.gov)) To date JPL has launched a wide array of projects partnering with industry in areas like weather forecasting and flight planning for the International Space station.
Quantum:
The Federal Government launched the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) About the National Quantum Initiative - National Quantum Initiative The NQI Act authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Energy (DOE), to strengthen QIS Programs, Centers, and Consortia. The NQI Act also calls for a coordinated approach to QIS Research and Development (R&D) efforts across the United States Government, including the civilian, defense, and intelligence sectors. Below are the agencies that are participating in the NQI:
One of the main focus areas in Quantum research is Post Quantum cryptography. As production ready Quantum computing inches closer towards reality the US Government has placed in emphasis on understanding what it would require for Federal agencies to transition to Post Quantum cryptography solutions to protect data. The White House has stated that all Federal Agencies are required to submit to ONCD and OMB an assessment of the funding required to migrate information systems and assets inventoried under this memorandum to post-quantum cryptography during the following fiscal year (FY24). Migrating to Post-Quantum Cryptography (whitehouse.gov)
These are just a couple of examples of emerging technologies and the work the US Government is doing with them. There a are many other emerging areas where the Government is investing including DevSecOps and new advances in Cyber to support the recently released Cyber Strategy. (FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces National Cybersecurity Strategy | The White House)
The bottom line is for companies with innovative technology in key areas the Government is investing significant amounts of funding and with that a Government strategy should be part of your go to market.