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Quick notes:
- U.S. broadband access could be improved
- Some consider the U.S. to be falling behind in a new “space race” for AI
- U.S. businesses and government officials are paying attention to 5G network development
Residents of the U.S. are generally fortunate enough to have easy access to a lot of the best things on the planet: The best entertainment options from Hollywood. The best food and drink. The highest levels of access to education and the ability to travel. However, there’s one area where we don’t always lead like we think we do–in our adaption to technology.
In some major areas, foreign technology remains ahead of what’s readily available in the U.S. Sometimes, it is merely a matter of lack of access. Other times it is because businesses question the existence of a market for the technology or aren’t sure how to keep costs in line in light of slim profit margins and complicated patent processes. Still other times, the foundation that is required to roll out the technology hasn’t been prioritized for one reason or another.
Below are a few key areas where technology in the U.S. is lagging behind what residents have access to in other countries. Hopefully, each of these areas can be examined and access to them improved. If so, U.S. citizens and businesses can only benefit.
Broadband internet
As the world continues to develop, the ability to share digital information as quickly as possible becomes crucial. People increasingly need to be able to share information with others quickly for work and personal purposes. Data is simply used everywhere, from medicine to education, to communications, video phone connectivity, and entertainment.
According to a survey by the FCC, the U.S. isn’t at the top of the list for providing better and cheaper broadband access.
As more data is used, more broadband will be needed. Unfortunately, a 2018 survey from the FCC indicates that the U.S. broadband access doesn’t sit at the top of the list when it comes to broadband speeds. It sits at number 10. Furthermore, it is lagging far behind other countries when it comes to the price it pays for the broadband access it does have.
Hopefully, this situation is something that officials, businesses, and communities can change. While addressing the issue is likely to be complicated and time-consuming, the results of a positive solution are almost certain to be worth the effort.
Artificial intelligence
Many believe that the rate of development of products and services in the artificial intelligence (AI) arena, sometimes called the fourth industrial revolution, is lagging behind in the U.S. compared with other countries, This is especially true when comparing U.S. efforts to China. In that country, businesses and the government are jumping into developing AI initiatives in an effort that has been compared to a new type of space race.
As it turns out, not everyone feels that the U.S. is lagging terribly behind. Extending the “space race” metaphor, many experts believe that even if the U.S. hasn’t kept pace with China in the earliest stages of AI product development, there is still plenty of time to catch up.
Cellphone technology and networks
Foreign mobile phone carriers have been outshining the capabilities of their U.S. counterparts. This is particularly true in China, where the Chinese phone carrier Unicom has been demonstrating what 5G-capable phones running on 5G networks that are built by Chinese telecom giant Huawei can do.
Companies in the U.S. are working feverishly to keep up, and the stakes for success couldn’t be higher. These more robust networks are likely to be the background behind a host of capabilities, including better cellphone connectivity and data clarity, driverless cars, smart advertising, and even remote medical procedures.
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