Renewing American Innovation
Providing thoughtful analysis on the U.S. innovation ecosystem and exploring methods for sustaining American technological competitiveness
Renewing American Innovation (RAI) explores the policies and partnerships that will secure the United States’ role as a leading innovator while ensuring that all Americans have a shared stake in the innovation economy.
Producing insightful analysis and convening stakeholders from across the innovation ecosystem, RAI seeks to foster a public appreciation for the networks and institutions to which we owe much of our prosperity today.
Contact Information
- Alexander Kersten
- Deputy Director and Fellow, Renewing American Innovation
- 202.775.3291
- AKersten@csis.org
Media Queries
- Sofia Chavez
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- SChavez@csis.org
Latest Analysis
Photo: Polina Korchagina/Adobe Stock
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 Sharmaand Chris Borges— December 15, 2025
The Architecture of AI Leadership: Enforcement, Innovation, and Global Trust
Report by Charles Wessnerand Shruti Sharma— November 6, 2025
U.S. Universities: Engines of Economic Growth
Commentary by Sujai Shivakumar, Charles Wessner, Shruti Sharma,and Chris Borges— October 29, 2025
Rebuilding Resilience in U.S. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Commentary by Charles Wessnerand Shruti Sharma— September 29, 2025
Innovation Insights
Innovation Insights is a video series exploring critical issues facing the United States in the realm of technology and innovation. Drawing from a network of experts and practitioners, Innovation Insights makes complex topics digestible and understandable for a general audience.
AllRenewing American Innovation Content
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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 Sharmaand Chris Borges— December 15, 2025
RAI Explainer: How Counterfeit Drugs Threaten U.S. Health and Innovation
Policy must address the growing national and international threat posed by counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
Blog Post by Anne Pritchett— November 19, 2025
Meeting the U.S. Defense Imperative: Challenges and Opportunities in the Development of the Defense Industrial Base Workforce
As the U.S. updates its defense capabilities, the need for a strong, skilled workforce has never been clearer. This CSIS–NIICA joint session examines how workforce readiness and talent pipelines shape the nation’s ability to meet the defense imperative.
Event— November 13, 2025
The Architecture of AI Leadership: Enforcement, Innovation, and Global Trust
The Chip Security Act seeks to address real vulnerabilities in the current export control system, but embedding compliance into hardware is not a substitute for strategic enforcement.
Report by Charles Wessnerand Shruti Sharma— November 6, 2025
Accelerating Japan-U.S. Cooperation in Quantum Technologies
Discussions willexplore the US and Japan’s assets and capabilities and the challenges and opportunities for cooperation.
Event— October 29, 2025
U.S. Universities: Engines of Economic Growth
An audio version of “U.S. Universities: Engines of Economic Growth,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Sujai Shivakumar, Charles Wessner, Shruti Sharma, and Chris Borges. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.
Podcast Episode by Sujai Shivakumar, Charles Wessner, Shruti Sharma,and Chris Borges— October 29, 2025
U.S. Universities: Engines of Economic Growth
University research is a proven job creator, an engine of regional economic growth, and a generator of entirely new industries that also advance public health, improve wellbeing, and bolster national security.
Commentary by Sujai Shivakumar, Charles Wessner, Shruti Sharma,and Chris Borges— October 29, 2025
Innovation Lightbulb: Federal R&D Funding Matters for U.S. AI Leadership
Federal R&D funding matters for U.S. AI leadership because in AI, as in other fields, public and private R&D arecomplements, not substitutes.
Blog Post by Chris Borgesand Yutong Deng— October 22, 2025
The GAIN AI Act Will Undermine the Global Competitiveness of U.S. AI Chipmakers
The GAIN AI Act seeks a problem with measures that will inflict real and long-lasting damage to the global competitive position of U.S. makers of advanced AI chips. Congress should ensure that the 2026 NDAA avoids this mistake.
Blog Post by Sujai Shivakumarand Thomas Howell— October 21, 2025
