"The migration of high-tech jobs, including R&D, engineering and design, to other countries has become a serious economic issue for the U.S., but an even larger one is looming," EIA President Dave McCurdy said. "The knowledge- based infrastructure needed to spur innovation in the U.S. is being sorely tested. If we do not look closely at our nation's innovation future, we may suffer in an international economy driven by technology, education, competition and market access in other countries."
…………. In the aftermath of 9/11, the U.S. is investing heavily in security and defense. Despite these legitimate concerns, "we need to realize we are no longer in an arms race," EIA 2004 Chairman and Ceridian Corporation CEO Ronald L. Turner pointed out. "We are in a 'minds race' in which the U.S. could face an innovation shortage."
"The technology industry in the U.S. is at an innovation crossroads," EIA President McCurdy added. "We can protest and launch diatribes against the present-day actions of other countries, or we can create a real national strategy and plan for the future of U.S. high-tech. The bottom line is this: if we don't determine what tomorrow will look like, others will determine it for us."***