This report, developed in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, lays out four long-term scenarios for the state’s future and provides policy recommendation. While at present California enjoys a commanding position, its future leadership cannot be assured without critical investment and policies to address mounting growing challenges to its ability to attract and retain high-skilled talent.
The Future of Advanced Technology and Basic Research
A California 100 Report on Policies and Future Scenarios
The Bay Area Council Economic Institute released today (March 29) its Future of Basic Science and Advanced Technology Report and a supporting Basic Science and Advanced Technology Facts-Origins-Trends report, made possible by a grant from the California 100 Initiative. The research team, led by Sean Randolph, examined California’s competitiveness in technology, the technology economy’s roots and assets, and scenarios for its future.
Click on the links below to read the Future of Advanced Technology and Basic Research Policy and Scenario Report, the detailed Facts-Origins-Trends Report, and Sean’s op-ed: California’s lead in science, technology is strong but vulnerable:
Future of Advanced Technology and Basic Research Policy and Scenario Report
Facts-Origins-Trends Report (PDF)
The analysis, developed in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, lays out four long-term scenarios for the state’s future and provides policy recommendation. While at present California enjoys a commanding position, its future leadership cannot be assured without critical investment and policies to address mounting growing challenges to its ability to attract and retain high-skilled talent.
Sean Randolph, Senior Director at the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and the report’s principal author, said about the findings: “The economy of California, and the Bay Area in particular, is led by technology, which has enabled economic growth, created hundreds of thousands of jobs, and supports a tax base that enables investment by the state in a wide range of priorities. We are considered the innovation capital of the world, but it would be a mistake to take that position for granted. The world is a competitive place and technology moves fast, and there are consequences if we don’t have the right policies and make the right investments. We have remarkable assets and reason to be confident, but also need to recognize the challenges California faces and address them.
The Basic Science and Advanced technology report will be released in Sacramento on March 29 together with three other California 100 supported reports on critical issues impacting California’s infrastructure.
About California 100
California 100, incubated at the University of California and Stanford University, is released today its first four issue and scenario reports, focusing on the future of transportation, energy, housing, and technology in the golden state. In July, California 100 announced grants to 18 centers and institutes across California to examine future scenarios with the potential to shape California’s leadership in the coming century, with a focus on 13 priority research areas (listed below). The research is comprised of two reports within each issue area: An Issue & Scenario Report and a Facts-Origins-Trends Report.
The development of these research reports was led by California’ 100’s research team, under the direction of Henry E. Brady, PhD, Director of Research for California 100, current professor, and former Dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy. California 100 announced research awards in July 2021 to eighteen centers and institutes across the state to examine future scenarios with the potential to shape California’s next century, with a focus on thirteen priority research areas. California 100 will release the remaining 9 research reports this spring. The research will later be tested through deliberative polling exercises and engagement sessions directly with Californians in the summer of 2022 and into 2023 to inform a vision and policy strategy for the state’s future.
California 100 announced its diverse and intergenerational Commission in October 2021 and its Advisory Council in December. California 100’s core mission is to strengthen California’s ability to collectively solve problems and shape our long-term future—through research, policy innovation, advanced technology, and engagement—by identifying, mobilizing, and supporting champions for innovative and equitable solutions.