“To win in business today, it’s not about being number one — it’s about who ‘gets to the future first.” —Gary Hamel and C.K. Prahalad, Competing for the Future
There are a multitude of reasons to prepare our workforce for the future – to grow our economy, drive innovation in critical industries, and compete on the global stage, particularly with our largest economic rival. China seems to agree, as noted in a recent article, “Beijing urges Chinese schools to prioritize teaching AI amid US tech trade war”.
This article highlights yet another front in our economic competition with China. The U.S. Department of Energy, countless CEOs, tech leaders, and workforce experts all recognize the same truth: the competition for AI and quantum computing dominance is both rational and urgent. Winning this race may prove to be as pivotal to our future as the race for nuclear technology nearly 100 years ago.
We are fully equipped to win this race and have many advantages, but bold action is required. Beyond providing the foundational education every child in our country deserves, we must ensure they are equipped to compete and innovate in a rapidly changing world. This race will likely be decided by this generation, and success will require that our technology leaders become deeply engaged—sharing their expertise, collaborating with educators, and integrating real-world technologies into learning environments. Funding these initiatives is essential, but without the time and exposure our kids need, it will fall short of preparing them to lead.
This is a monumental challenge, but it is one we can meet. Let’s continue to lift each other up and move forward together!
Kenny McDonald
President and CEO
Columbus Partnership