Obama's Innovation Panel Creates Opportunity, Pride For Tech Industry

Posted by K.C. Jones on December 1, 2008 01:30 PM

President-elect Barack Obama has added an advisory group for technology and innovation to his transition team. The newly formed Technology, Innovation, and Government Reform Policy Working Group will draft an "innovation agenda."

The team will create proposals to improve government technology so it's more efficient and open. It also will come up with ideas on how to leverage technology for economic gain and job creation. Obama released a technology policy agenda early in his campaign and said he wants to use technology to solve some of America's pressing problems. So, the group is charged with doing that as well.

Finally, the panel also is charged with creating a plan that respects the integrity of science, renews U.S. commitment to science, and encourages partnerships between citizens and government, as well as those between private companies and government.

To accomplish that broad list of goals, the panel contains four sub-groups. They will focus on innovation and government; innovation and national priorities; innovation and science; and innovation and civil society. Thirty-five people, representing a broad base of experience, including some from the biggest players in the technology industry, have been chosen for the advisory group.

The move drew immediate praise from the Information Technology Association of America, which noted Obama's "laser-like focus" on innovation. ITAA President and CEO Phil Bond issued a statement reflecting pride in the tech industry's ability to tackle a wide range of problems and solve national problems.

"The President-elect sees that we need innovation now if we're to have a secure and prosperous future," Bond said. "We need new ideas and new technologies if we are to have stronger national and homeland security, a healthier economy and environment, and a more effective, more efficient government. As a proven change agent, the technology industry stands ready to help our new President address the challenges at hand."

A complete list of members is available on the Obama transition team's Web site.