Leading Innovation

CTA's tech agenda calls on officials to support new technologies and trends —such as artificial intelligence, the sharing economy, and augmented and virtual reality — which are threatened by overreaching or outdated rules from local, state and federal governments.

To protect new technology, CTA organizes grassroots advocacy campaigns and works with coalitions to protect the innovation economy from laws and rules which delay, restrict or ban its development.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

As AI becomes more ubiquitous, it will also raise more questions about jobs, bias, cybersecurity and other serious issues. CTA is a leading voice on AI issues on Capitol Hill, working with industry and government to mitigate biased outcomes from AI algorithms, ensure adequate data security and prepare the American workforce for new opportunities created by AI.

To lay the groundwork for prudent AI policy, CTA launched an AI working group in 2018 to address questions around this technology and help guide CTA’s work on policy issues. CTA also hosts a series of AI educational events for members of Congress and staff.

Tariffs

International trade plays a vital role in the consumer tech sector and the U.S. economy. But while attempting to address unfair trade practices in China, the White House enacted economically steep tariffs on Chinese consumer technology tech products — estimated to cost the tech industry more than $1 billion a month.

Unfair trade practices must be addressed, but CTA believes the solution is not to put a new tax on U.S. businesses and force consumers to pay more for the tech products they need. CTA advocates against the increased tariffs, organizing important voices in the tech community to show government officials how they negatively impact the country.

Self-Driving Vehicles

Self-driving vehicles have the potential to save tens of thousands of lives a year in the U.S. A strong public policy approach ideally promotes openness and innovation as well as being technology-neutral. CTA is encouraged by the federal government’s interest in self-driving cars and works with federal agencies to encourage the safe and expeditious rollout of new mobile technologies.

Immigration Reform

Immigrants start businesses in the U.S., employing millions of people and generating billions in revenue. CTA supports updated strategic immigration reforms that encourage foreign-born entrepreneurs and U.S.-educated immigrants to remain in the U.S. to create the businesses and jobs that are the backbone to the U.S. economy.

Drones

CTA is working with elected officials and government regulators to ensure that drone technology is safely integrated in the nation’s airspace. As part of this initiative, CTA supports the “Know Before You Fly” consumer safety campaign, encouraging responsible use of drones.

Patent Reform

Frivolous litigation brought by so-called “patent trolls” drains $1.5 billion a week from the U.S. economy — money that innovators must spend on lawyers rather than research and development, marketing or creating jobs. CTA supports patent legislation reform that combats the explosion of lawsuits brought by patent trolls that victimize entrepreneurs and startups.

Spectrum

Many of today’s consumer technology innovations are connected to the web and to one another. With less than 10% of Americans now relying on over-the- air spectrum to watch TV and more consumers using spectrum-hungry devices like tablets, smartphones and streaming devices, the U.S. needs more unlicensed spectrum than ever.

CTAPAC: Your Voice in Congress

The Consumer Technology Association Political Action Committee (CTAPAC) protects CTA members’ freedom to build and sell consumer technology products. CTAPAC is the only political action committee that specifically advocates on behalf of the consumer technology industry.

Participation in the system through a robust PAC allows CTA to have a voice in the political process and empowers advocacy efforts with the additional resources needed to succeed.

Innovation Scorecards

CTA produces two reports alternating every other year that evaluate innovation-friendly policies in the U.S. and abroad.

The U.S. Innovation Scorecard — now in its fifth year — evaluates all 50 states on 12 indicators such as STEM education and laws governing emerging technologies such as drones, self-driving cars, ridesharing and short-term rentals.

The International Innovation Scorecard — now in its second edition — evaluates 61 countries and the European Union across 28 indicators in similar areas plus those essential to global leadership in innovation, such as diversity, freedom of thought and expression, entrepreneurship and human capital.

See the scorecards

Future of Work

Tech innovations transform the workforce and generate countless new jobs. To lead the world in innovation, the tech industry must prepare Americans for in-demand jobs.

CTA advocates for employer-led strategies and regulatory approaches that create more education and hiring pathways — apprenticeships, internships, and train-to-hire programs — that enable access to jobs in the tech sector for all Americans.

To help address the nation’s skills gap, CTA leads a 21st Century Workforce Council, the CTA Apprenticeship Coalition, and conducts an annual Future of Work Survey.

Diversity and Inclusion

To advance positive change and create greater diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, CTA is investing $10 million in venture funds focused on startups with founders who are women or people of color, as well as sponsoring programs that expand the STEM K-12 pipeline.

In 2019, CTA launched a Diversity and Inclusion working group to share best practices and develop strategies that advance greater diversity and inclusion in the industry.

CES 2020 also had a large focus on Diversity and Inclusion, with The Innovation for All conference program which featured chief diversity officers and leaders from top companies.

Environmental Sustainability

Industry initiatives are helping to make recycling old electronics as easy as buying new ones. U.S. manufacturers are committed to reducing e-waste and adverse environmental effects. However, state proposals to regulate recycling requirements with arbitrary burdens and costs threaten to stifle the industry’s success.

Hosting Events on Capitol Hill

The CTA Innovation House on Capitol Hill is a unique venue for educating policymakers and staff, enabling them to experience cutting-edge technology. More than 125 events have been held ranging from political fundraisers to policy briefings, coalition meetings and product demonstrations.

CTAPAC hosted more than 30 fundraising events at the Innovation House with more than 100 members of Congress visiting the space, including Republican and Democratic House Leadership.

Learn more at CTA.tech/Policy.