December 2024

In This Issue

Editorial introduction not yet supplied.

1. 01

   Space · National Security & Defense

   The Wicked Problem that Confronts US Space Force

   Author credit on original

   It used to be that space was the ultimate high ground, safe from enemy attack. Space became the place to gather intelligence, surveil, reconnoiter enemy forces, transmit information globally, and command and control the application of force without risking incoming fire.

2. 02

   Economic Security · Science & Technology Policy

   Technology Opportunities for National Prosperity

   Rosalie Loewen, Robert Hummel, PhD

   Advances in science and technology present key moments for economic growth. Technological breakthroughs represent opportunities to make targeted public investments and introduce policies that accelerate time to market and incentivize market uptake, maximizing benefits for the domestic economy.

3. 03

   Science & Technology Policy · Economic Security

   The Detrimental US Tax Policy on Research and Development

   Robert Hummel, PhD

   The US Tax Code allows businesses and taxpayers to deduct what are called “research and experimentation expenses” from their income before paying taxes, provided those expenses are “qualified,” according to Section 174 of the tax code. In addition, Section 41 permits a tax credit for increases in research and development (R&D) expenditures over a baseline amount, as long as those expenses qualify under Section 174 and satisfy certain other conditions.

4. 04

   Cyber & Data

   Mitigating Algorithmic Targeting in Social Media Platforms

   Kayla Dunn

   It is now well understood that social media platforms collect data about their users. The platforms gather this data to push content that supports targeted advertisements.

5. 05

   Space

   Approaching Orbital Overload

   Carrie Zuckerman

   The thousands of satellites orbiting Earth are now integral to our daily lives, essential to communication, navigation, defense, and infrastructure. However, we are increasingly cluttering orbits with human-made debris.

6. 06

   Artificial Intelligence · Science & Technology Policy

   Government Opportunities for AI Technologies

   Robert Hummel, PhD

   What a mess! Yet, many believe that AI and its applications, using tools such as large language models (LLMs), are the economic engine for businesses of the future.