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: Johanna/Adobe Stock

Photo: Johanna/Adobe Stock

The Costs of Weaponizing the U.S. IP System

Proposals to restrict Chinese participation in the U.S. patent system may impose costs on Beijing—but could they also undermine America's own innovation advantage? This commentary examines the direct, indirect, and systemic consequences of weaponizing the U.S. IP system.

Commentary by Chris Borges — August 5, 2026

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Past Events

Photo: CSIS

Photo: CSIS

LeadershIP 2026

March 25, 2026 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EDT
Hosted by Renewing American Innovation
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Related Programs

Experts

Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

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

Chris Borges

Fellow and Senior Program Manager, Economic Security and Technology Department

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The Costs of Weaponizing the U.S. IP System

Proposals to restrict Chinese participation in the U.S. patent system may impose costs on Beijing—but could they also undermine America's own innovation advantage? This commentary examines the direct, indirect, and systemic consequences of weaponizing the U.S. IP system.

Commentary by Chris Borges — August 5, 2026

The Greenspan Lesson for the AI Race

Senior Fellow Karl Smith argues that Chair Greenspan’s legacy offers a lesson for the AI era: macroeconomic data is backward-looking. If U.S. institutions misread a new productivity shift, they risk higher rates, slower AI investment, and a weaker long-term tech position.

Commentary by Karl Smith — June 24, 2026

Innovation Lightbulb: FY 2027 Proposed R&D Cuts

The FY 2027 budget proposes deep cuts to federal R&D, threatening U.S. technological, economic, and national security leadership. As China expands state-backed research investments, reducing support for basic and use-inspired science risks weakening America's innovation edge.

Newsletter by Jake Fitzpatrick and Chris Borges — June 10, 2026

The Vatican Just Outmaneuvered Washington on AI

The Vatican’s AI intervention exposes Washington’s blind spot: Policymakers are debating hypothetical doomsday scenarios while missing the real crises already reshaping human dignity, work, truth, and power. Washington must move beyond abstract AGI fears and build a civil society dialogue on human dignity, supply chains, truth, and statecraft.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen — May 26, 2026

Will the AI Economy Have a Middle Class? The Case for an AI Homestead Policy

Navin Girishankar argues that America needs an AI Homestead policy that offers the middle class a wages-to-wealth ladder for the coming AI economy. It is a commitment to upskilling, labor mobility, business formation, data as an asset, and community access to compute.

Commentary by Navin Girishankar — May 22, 2026