American Innovation

The geopolitical and socioeconomic challenges of the twenty-first century are unlike any the United States has seen before. CSIS experts provide thoughtful analysis on the U.S. innovation ecosystem and explore methods for sustaining American technological competitiveness.

Photo: John Moore/Getty Images

Photo: John Moore/Getty Images

Practical H-1B Reforms to Serve U.S. Economic Interests

A new CSIS brief analyzes recent H-1B visa reforms, warning that steep fee increases risk undermining U.S. competitiveness. It outlines evidence-based policy alternatives to align immigration with Washington's economic and strategic goals.

Brief by Philip Luck and Thibault Denamiel — February 2, 2026

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Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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LeadershIP 2026

Scholars, policymakers, and industry experts discuss cutting-edge policy issues at the intersection of innovation, intellectual property, and national security.

Event — March 25, 2026

Practical H-1B Reforms to Serve U.S. Economic Interests

A new CSIS brief analyzes recent H-1B visa reforms, warning that steep fee increases risk undermining U.S. competitiveness. It outlines evidence-based policy alternatives to align immigration with Washington's economic and strategic goals.

Brief by Philip Luck and Thibault Denamiel — February 2, 2026

Tech Edge: A Living Playbook for America’s Technology Long Game

Winning the tech race is not about any single breakthrough. Leadership requires competing across the full menu of technologies, developing the dexterity to build at speed and scale, and defending our domestic markets from nonmarket competition.

Report by Navin Girishankar, Mark P. Dallas, Sree Ramaswamy, Scott Kennedy, Philip Luck, Joseph Majkut, Ilaria Mazzocco, Erin L. Murphy, Matt Pearl, Richard M. Rossow, Sujai Shivakumar, Chris Borges, Ray Cai, and Ryan Featherston — January 20, 2026

Hedged Bets on the U.S.-China AI Race

Whether open versus closed source or state versus private capital, the United States and China play distinct roles in building and setting the standards for global innovation. The question is not who wins the race, but whether either can finish without the other's capabilities.

Blog Post by Richard Gray and Michael H. Gary — January 20, 2026

An “America First” Tech Stack Cannot Be America Alone

The administration has not yet revealed the details of the American AI Exports Program and how it will work.  To successfully compete with China, it should include the entire tech stack, facilitate cooperation with trusted partners, and be backed by real resources.

Commentary by Stephan Lang — January 15, 2026

Universities, Patents, and the Future of U.S. Competitiveness

The strength of the United States’ innovation system does not rest on government spending alone, but on the mutually supportive partnership between public investment, university research, and private enterprise. 

Commentary by Shruti Sharma and Chris Borges — December 15, 2025

Turning the AI Revolution into Dollar Dominance

Navin Girishankar argues that President Trump's Gulf chip deals enable billions in AI exports but miss what ensures dollar dominance. A compute-dollar successor to the petrodollar will keep China’s offer of AI plus digital yuan settlement in the rearview mirror. 

Commentary by Navin Girishankar — December 8, 2025