Enable breadcrumbs token at /includes/pageheader.html.twig

On Point: Q&A With James P. Craft Jr.

James P. Craft Jr., is an AFCEA life member and has been a member of AFCEA’s Cyber Committee since 2008. He has led committee efforts in acquisition reform, national security emergency preparedness, cybersecurity and innovation. And he helped lead an effort to draft a National Innovation Strategy to be presented to the incoming administration. He is senior executive at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), where he serves as senior advisor to the Office of the CIO. He has 20 years’ experience in industry and more than 25 years of federal service.

With the rapid pace of technological advances and increasing global competition, a fresh approach is essential for strengthening national security. Credit: EtiAmmos/Shutterstock

Why does the United State need a new innovation strategy?
The national innovation system has deteriorated, as evidenced by the country’s fall from the top of the Global Innovation Index to third place. We face increasing competition from countries like China and Russia and must address both domestic and international challenges, such as technological advancements, security risks and economic instability.

With the rapid pace of technological advances and increasing global competition, a fresh approach is essential for strengthening national security, sustaining economic growth and promoting societal well-being. This strategy emphasizes collaboration across sectors, modernization of regulatory frameworks and prioritizing research and development in emerging technologies. It aims to build a dynamic innovation ecosystem that adapts to change and secures our future leadership.

What is at risk if we do not implement a new innovation strategy?
The United States risks losing its competitive edge in critical technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and biotechnology. This could compromise national security, economic stability and global innovation leadership. Failure to innovate will likely result in diminished military capabilities as competitors advance their technological prowess.

What should the administration prioritize in the first year?
Their first-year push should start before the inauguration. During the transition, appoint a key transition team member responsible for innovation. After inauguration, adapt AFCEA’s strategy into their own National Innovation Strategy and publish it quickly. Within four weeks, they should appoint a federal chief innovation officer to collaborate with the public and private sectors. Finally, key strategy elements should be embedded in the President’s Management Agenda and the first 100-days plan.

Also, they should:

Increase Research and Development funding, especially in emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing.
Strengthen public-private partnerships to accelerate innovation and commercialization.
Develop agile regulatory frameworks that adapt to technological changes while ensuring safety.
Promote ethical innovation to ensure advancements benefit society and respect privacy and civil liberties.
Assert global leadership through engagement in international partnerships and collaboration.

Can you describe the committee’s process?

In early 2023, as an innovation champion at OPM, I reviewed national innovation documents, including the 2015 “Strategy for American Innovation,” and consulted my professional network for input. By August 2023, it was clear we needed a new strategy. The next month, in my personal capacity, I presented the need to the AFCEA Cyber Committee, highlighting an approach to fill the gaps left by the 2015 strategy.

The committee embraced the idea and asked me and fellow member Hank Costa to co-chair the effort. We gathered a team from AFCEA and beyond, held regular monthly meetings and launched working groups of leading experts from government, industry and academia. By September 2024, after extensive collaboration, we produced a draft strategy, which went through pink and red team reviews.

How do you get a strategy document into the hands of a new administration?
First, publish and publicize its availability through various media outlets. Second, use the voices of AFCEA members and the innovation leaders that we engaged during the strategy development. Some of these individuals are already engaging with both major presidential campaigns and have regular discussions with members of Congress of both parties. Fostering innovation has broad bipartisan support. We have also reached out to other nonpartisan professional and industry organizations who have indicated that they will carry the water on this initiative to the new administration.