NTIA’s Robotics Convening in Commemoration of 250 Years of U.S. Innovation

By NTIA’s Office of Policy and International Affairs 

The idea that technology can help individuals accomplish more is deeply woven into America’s 250-year history. While the subject of robotics may feel like a distinctly modern frontier, the instinct behind it traces straight back to our nation’s founding. George Washington was an early adopter, having installed Oliver Evans’ automated milling system at his Mount Vernon gristmill. This system allowed grain and flour to move through much of the milling process automatically—a remarkable advancement for the era—using technology protected by one of the earliest U.S. patents. Thomas Jefferson similarly embraced advances in agricultural and industrial technology. In each case, these innovations expanded what individuals could achieve, enabling them to produce more, build more, and make better use of their time and talents. 

Our Founding Fathers understood that American prosperity and independence would be built on a willingness to embrace new tools and lead the world in applying them. Two and a half centuries later, that same instinct is advancing the development and manufacturing of American-made robotics. 

As part of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan, NTIA was tasked with bringing together industry and government stakeholders to identify barriers to American robotics and drone manufacturing. In response, earlier this spring NTIA convened approximately 100 participants from across the private and public sectors at the Department of Commerce to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the robotics industry. 

The robotics sector is already a multibillion-dollar industry and is expected to grow to $19 billion in 2033, driven in part by advances in AI. At NTIA’s convening, participants identified several challenging areas where policy changes could potentially strengthen America’s position in this increasingly important field: 

• Investment and Incentives. Multiple participants highlighted the need for policies that encourage investment in robotics, including stronger demand signals, procurement incentives, workforce development initiatives, tax policies, and other measures to accelerate private sector growth. 
• Digital Infrastructure. Participants noted the importance of the underlying digital infrastructure needed to support advanced robotics, including AI-ready computing resources, reliable connectivity, advanced wireless networks for physical AI, and secure-by-design standards to integrate AI and robotics effectively. 
• Workforce. Like many advanced industries, participants highlighted shortages of engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and other skilled workers. Participants discussed ways to expand education, training, and workforce development. 
• Supply Chains. Participants pointed to vulnerabilities in robotics supply chains, including shortages of key components and reliance on foreign suppliers. Many emphasized the importance of supporting the domestic production of robotics components to sustain innovation and investment in the field.
• Foreign Competition. Participants discussed the international landscape, including efforts by adversarial countries to accelerate the growth of their domestic robotics industries.
• Federal Coordination. Participants emphasized the need for a more coordinated federal approach to robotics policy, including alignment on research priorities, standards, regulations, grants, and international engagement. 

Later this year, NTIA will build on this work by convening stakeholders from across the U.S. drone sector. As AI expands the capabilities of unmanned systems, NTIA will seek input on how federal policy can strengthen the domestic drone industry, support innovation, and promote new use cases. 

As the nation looks back on 250 years of American ingenuity, the decisions we make today will help determine whether the next generation of transformative technologies is led by America or elsewhere. By strengthening supply chains, developing talent, and supporting innovation, we can help ensure that robotics and drones become another chapter in America’s long tradition of technological leadership.

This is the second in a series of NTIA blog posts tied to America’s celebration of its 250th anniversary.