Blog

White House AI Principles a Boon for American Innovation

January 17, 2020 | Ryan Khurana

The American AI Initiative, created by the Trump Administration in February 2019, highlighted the White House’s priorities to make artificial intelligence a pivotal asset in shaping America’s future. While the initial plan was criticized for a lack of specifics, on January 7th the Office of Management and Budget released its “Guidance for Regulation of Artificial

January 16, 2020 | Will Upton

Lincoln Network’s Zach Graves recently appeared on a panel at CES entitled: “Should Big Tech be Broken Up?” You can check out the full panel below. Featuring: Moderator:Jamie Susskind VP Regulatory Affairs, CTA Panelists:Jennifer HuddlestonResearch Fellow, Mercatus Center Charlotte SlaimanPolicy Counsel, Public Knowledge Zach GravesHead of Policy, Lincoln Network Dr. Robert AtkinsonPresident, Information Technology and

January 10, 2020 | Zach Graves

Apply by Feb. 28, 2020! We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Policy Hackers fellowship. This new program is designed to teach tech professionals—including technologists, investors, product managers, founders, and more—how to navigate government and public policy. The program is a 12 month, non-resident fellowship designed around the busy schedules of tech professionals, with content designed to augment

December 31, 2019 | Dan Lips

In a new op-ed in The Hill, Lincoln Network’s Garrett Johnson and R Street Institute’s Tony Mills explain why taxpayers should support strengthening the Government Accountability Office—pointing to the auditors’ estimated return-on-investment of $338 for each tax dollar spent in FY2019. Since 2010, GAO has delivered hundreds of billions in taxpayer savings, including by identifying

December 19, 2019 | Zach Graves

Lincoln Network was founded to be a bridge between policymakers and innovators, closing the gap between tech hubs like Silicon Valley and policy hubs like Washington, DC. We believe in a world of free markets and free people, and that fostering a robust but responsible innovation ecosystem is crucial to creating a better, freer, and

December 18, 2019 | Will Upton

Despite the convenience and benefits of online platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, the growing power and influence of ‘Big Tech’ have inspired a new wave of critics on both America’s Left and Right. These critics have argued online platforms promote unhealthy addiction, exacerbate polarization, waste our time and energy, and create easier pathways to

November 26, 2019 | Zach Graves

Lincoln Network and Bipartisan Policy Center recently teamed up to host a policy forum on enhancing science and technology expertise and capacity in Congress. Watch the full event below. Featuring: Yuri BeckelmanDeputy Chief of Staff, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) Dr. Robert Cook-DeeganProfessor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University Adam KeiperSenior

Job Opening: Research Associate

November 25, 2019 | Zach Graves

Job Opening: Research Associate About the Organization Lincoln Network was founded to be a bridge between policymakers and innovators, closing the gap between tech hubs like Silicon Valley and policy hubs like Washington, DC. We believe in a world of free markets and free people, and that fostering a robust but responsible innovation ecosystem is

November 25, 2019 | Dan Lips

Government Watchdogs Can Use Data Analytics to Identify Billions in Taxpayer Savings While impeachment hearings and the 2020 election dominate the political headlines, several encouraging bipartisan efforts to reform Washington and improve governance are making progress below the radar. The result could be billions in taxpayer savings. This month, the House of Representatives extended the

Answering China’s Sharp Power

November 20, 2019 | Dan Lips

The Federal Communications Commission will soon consider a proposal to prevent U.S. companies from using Universal Service Fund dollars to purchase equipment or services from companies deemed to present a national security threat, including Huawei and ZTE Corporation. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai made the case for his proposal: “Thanks

October 21, 2019 | Will Upton

To further our vision for bridging the gap between Silicon Valley innovators and Washington, DC, policymakers, Lincoln Network has expanded its policy team with a key new hire. Lincoln Network welcomes Dan Lips as Director of Cyber and National Security Policy. Prior to Lincoln, Lips served as Assistant Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs

October 1, 2019 | Will Upton

Today’s 2-1 ruling in Mozilla v. Federal Communications Commission from the D.C. Circuit largely reaffirms the FCC’s 2018 net neutrality framework, avoiding an innovation-crushing regulatory regime. However, as Lincoln Network co-founder Garrett Johnson argued, Congress still needs to step in to address the harmful regulatory uncertainty of the protracted fight over net neutrality: While some

Call for guest bloggers

September 11, 2019 | Zach Graves

With the recent launch of our policy website and blog, Lincoln Network is seeking to expand its roster of guest contributors in DC, Silicon Valley, and other tech/policy hubs. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to): Silicon Valley vs. DC culture and translation problems 💿🆚🏛️ Hot takes on tech policy issues in the

Progress in closing the digital divide

August 6, 2019 | Garrett Johnson

The world has moved online. With just an internet connection, one can access a vast range of digital services, educational materials, and economic opportunities unimaginable by previous generations. Yet, many people who need these opportunities the most – such as low income people of color – have still been left behind. It’s clear that as

August 1, 2019 | Zach Graves

Over the past two years, following high-profile hearings with Mark Zuckerberg and other tech CEOs, there has been a resurgence of interest in addressing Congress’s knowledge gap on scientific and technical policy issues (a conversation which we’ve been proud to help lead). One solution that has gained momentum is restoring the Office of Technology Assessment, a science and

Job Opening: Innovation Policy Expert

July 30, 2019 | Zach Graves

Lincoln Network was founded to be a bridge between policymakers and innovators, closing the gap between tech hubs like Silicon Valley and policy hubs like Washington, DC. We see our value proposition in cross-pollination, network building, and translation between groups that don’t speak the same language. Our work includes helping innovators understand the policy world,

July 30, 2019 | Ryan Radia

Access to speedy, reliable broadband matters a lot to our economy, whether we’re at work, on our smartphone, or sitting on the couch. But it’s not always easy to measure how well we’re doing as a nation in terms of deploying speedy broadband. One sticking point is the gulf between speeds reported by Internet service

Lincoln’s approach to policy

July 21, 2019 | Zach Graves

Make the future happen sooner. The mission of Lincoln’s policy project is to bridge the gap between innovators, technologists, and policymakers, and leverage that position to advance policy discussions that will help create a better, freer, and more abundant future. In the face of increasing backlash against science and technology, we are optimistic about the

July 19, 2019 | Ryan Khurana

On June 28th, 2019, after 46 years of regulatory dormancy, action was once again taken to make supersonic flight a reality in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow for special flight reauthorizations for the testing and development supersonic aircraft. This came after bipartisan legislation

July 17, 2019 | Garrett Johnson

We believe it is important to discuss how our work is supported, and what we’re doing to make sure we stay a forcefully independent voice.

Podcast roundup on OTA

June 6, 2019 | Zach Graves

I appeared on several podcasts over the past few months to discuss improving S&T expertise in government, reviving the Office of Technology Assessment, and related issues. Check them out here: Cato Institute’s Building Tomorrow Podcast Federal News Radio’s Federal Drive with Tom Temin Techdirt Podcast Harvard University Ash Center’s AshCast

The future of free speech online

May 31, 2019 | Ryan Radia

I joined my Lincoln colleague Zach Graves to discuss digital free speech and social media bias on the Cato Institute’s Building Tomorrow podcast, with hosts Paul Matzko and Will Duffield. Check out the full episode here.

May 23, 2019 | Zach Graves

Looking through former Rep. Rush Holt’s (D-NJ) archives, I found this curious letter from Newt Gingrich to Rep. Amo Houghton (R-NY) on the Office of Technology Assessment dated January 10, 2006. In it he writes: “I agree with your thoughts about the essential nature of the OTA, and I am very interested in finding new

Reboot American Innovation Conference

May 6, 2019 | Lincoln Policy

Check out all the videos from Lincoln Network’s Reboot American Innovation conference. Additional information about the speakers and program can be found here. Agenda 8:15 AMREGISTRATIONContinental breakfast 8:45 AMWELCOME & OPENING REMARKSGarrett Johnson, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Lincoln Network; Aaron Ginn, Co-Founder, Lincoln Network. 9:00 AMOPENING KEYNOTEDr. Robert Zubrin, President, Pioneer Astronautics; and Contributing Editor, The

March 6, 2019 | Zach Graves

I joined an expert panel on Capitol Hill to talk about improving science and technology expertise in Congress. Check out the full video and details below: Following a series of news-grabbing exchanges with tech CEOs last year, there has been a renewed push to boost Congress’s in-house policy expertise. The most prominent of these efforts

March 3, 2019 | Zach Graves

To further our efforts of bridging the gap between Silicon Valley innovators and Washington, DC, policymakers, Lincoln Network has expanded its policy team with two key new hires. “Lincoln Network specializes in cross-pollinating, network building, and translating between groups that don’t speak the same language.” said Lincoln’s co-founder and executive director, Garrett Johnson. “We are

February 28, 2019 | Garrett Johnson

The tech community has been a target of criticism in recent years for fostering intolerance against minority viewpoints in the workplace. Silicon Valley CEOs recognize the problem too. Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, admitted that conservative employees at his company “don’t feel safe to express their opinions.” A new Lincoln Network study confirms a shocking level of

Modernizing Congress

February 7, 2019 | Zach Graves

This event was held on February 4, 2019 at the State Room (near the U.S. Capitol). See the full video above. Description: In recent decades, digital technologies have opened up the legislative process and lowered barriers to democratic participation. Congressional staff, individuals, and interest groups learn about new legislation through sites like Congress.gov, docs.house.gov, or

February 2, 2019 | Zach Graves

Last week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced the formation of a new office to aid Congress in understanding science and technology matters. This office will be organized as a 15th mission team under GAO’s organization chart called “Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics” (STAA). Its work will focus on four key areas: Conducting technology assessments and providing technical services

January 15, 2019 | Lincoln Network

Lincoln Network is excited to be a founding member of the Coalition Against Patent Abuse (CAPA), a broad coalition of think tanks, healthcare providers, consumer groups, and patient advocacy organizations working to address anti-competitive abuses of our patent system. In addition to Lincoln, CAPA membership includes free-market groups such as the R Street Institute, the Institute for

Reboot 2018 Conference

October 24, 2018 | Lincoln Network

Check out all the videos from Lincoln Network’s Reboot 2018 conference in San Francisco, CA. Additional information about the program and speakers can be found here.

September 14, 2018 | Lincoln Network

While some fiscal conservatives may be skeptical, in actuality these newly approved funds for intern salaries presents a set of unique opportunities to improve human capital on Capitol Hill. Conferees from both chambers of Congress announced that they reached an agreement over H.R. 5895, the first of three minibus appropriations bills. This spending package will provide funding to

January 1, 2018 | Garrett Johnson

I made the mistake of checking Twitter to see what people had to say about the vote tomorrow on net neutrality… If you haven’t been paying attention, it turns out that the FCC is about toabolish the internet, or at the very least outsource it to Portugal, and may or may not have commissioned an army of