US Hardly Keeps Up With China in Acquiring More Advanced Technology Despite Huge Investment in Top-Notch Research

The US is getting bested in research and development of advanced technology that needs enormous investment in the cold war with Beijing.

In regards to the expenses made on these vital technologies have increased from 2020 to 2021, starting from $60.7 billion in 2017 to $117.2 billion by 2021. But China has prioritized its R &D with more money on the table to get farther than Washington.

US Spends in Top-Notch Research

It cannot be denied that bleeding-edge technology is what the Department of Defense should trailblaze in. A new report says Washington needs to do a lot more to keep in stride with China's edge in robotic intelligence and machine learning, in particular, reported Sputnik News.

Data analytics firm Govini conducted a study called the National Security Scorecard: Critical Technologies Edition, covering tech from hypersonic weapons to artificial intelligence lagging compared to its rivals.

One conclusion by the firm is that the Biden administration has the tools to develop these technologies and the military aspect.

Cover in the study is the list of essential technologies that need the office of the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering that was published earlier this year. The range of the list includes 14 technologies related to space to biotech; if not satisfied will be a loss for the United States.

Tara Murphy Dougherty, CEO of Govini, stated bluntly that the United States should shape or lose big time, based on the report cited by Business Wire,

Is US Investment Enough To Keep Up With China?

A major weakness is the US DoD prefers to work with prime integrators and services companies instead of startups and innovators. It fails to take advantage of new advanced technologies coming to the fore that needs a huge investment.

China will grab the chance to stump America in quantum computers, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, crucial tech that is not prioritized.

If the government does not top up expenses in AI/ML seen via drones, that will be a dominant factor in a future fight, but China is leading the charge.

Importance of Biotech

Details reveal that because of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown a focus on spending for emerging biotechnology done by non-government entities, not the US DoD. The total expense is $40 billion in 2021, as reported by a source.

The US Army has also spent $20 billion on biotech in 2021, which was the most expensive for the armed forces. Federal expenses confirmed for $50 billion used for AI/ML and $12 billion left for 2021. All the needed investments for AI/ML had increased investments.

One pressing comment is that the DoD is not ready to commit to AI/ML, which future conflicts rely upon. The DoD is investing more in artificial intelligence, and the Pentagon wants more money for R&D in 2023, primarily for AI. Also, the Pentagon has several projects for AI, even an agency to manage its development.

Expenses for space-related tech were neglected from 2017 to 2021, highlighted in the study. It is quite clear the firm show what must be done, said Govini chairman Bob Work, although China has a significant lead.

The United States gap in Advanced Technology research is hampered by an unwillingness to commit to this huge investment, even as China has hypersonic missiles, a working space station, and developing anti-satellite tech.