Reviving the Office of Technology Assessment for the 21st Century
A Call to Revive a Critical Resource
No doubt, independent expertise still exists in the United States. However, in the absence of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), Congress often relies on incomplete or inadequate information when making decisions about emerging technologies. This is a problem, as a single, dedicated agency can provide policymakers with comprehensive, expert advice on the potential impacts of new technologies.
The OTA: A Model for 21st-Century Technology Assessment
The OTA was established in 1972 to provide Congress with objective, expert analysis on the potential impacts of emerging technologies. Although it was initially met with skepticism, the OTA went on to produce over 800 reports, providing valuable insights to policymakers. Its demise in 1995 left a void that has yet to be filled.
The Current State of Affairs
Today, a “diffuse and inefficient” system exists, with no central agency dedicated to studying emerging technologies and advising Congress on potential impacts. While the Congressional Research Service provides some insight, its summaries are no replacement for the comprehensive research and analysis provided by the OTA.
A Call to Action
It is time to revive the OTA, providing Congress with the expert guidance it needs to make informed decisions about emerging technologies. This is not a new or radical idea; the OTA was reauthorized in the 1980s and 1990s, only to be abolished in 1995 due to budget constraints. With the increasing pace of technological change, the need for a dedicated agency has only grown more pressing.
The OTA’s Legacy
During its existence, the OTA produced 800 reports on topics ranging from the impact of computers on society to the potential of synthetic biology. Its work was not only meticulous but also influential, with many of its recommendations being adopted by policymakers. The OTA’s legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of a dedicated agency for technology assessment.
Prescience and Impact
Some of the OTA’s reports proved remarkably prescient, predicting the rise of electronic funds transfer, the disruption of the postal service by email, and the potential impact of generic drugs on the pharmaceutical industry. These findings demonstrate the value of a dedicated agency for technology assessment, providing policymakers with a deeper understanding of emerging technologies and their potential consequences.
Conclusion
Reviving the OTA would provide Congress with a critical resource for making informed decisions about emerging technologies. By doing so, policymakers would be better equipped to address the complex challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies, ultimately serving the public interest and advancing the nation’s technological progress.
FAQs
- Why was the OTA established in 1972? To provide Congress with objective, expert analysis on the potential impacts of emerging technologies.
- What was the OTA’s mandate? To conduct research and provide policymakers with a well-reasoned set of options that represented a range of expert opinions.
- What was the OTA’s output like? The OTA produced over 800 reports on topics ranging from computing to synthetic biology, with many of its recommendations being adopted by policymakers.
- Why was the OTA abolished in 1995? Due to budget constraints, the OTA was abolished, leaving a void that has yet to be filled.
- What is the current state of technology assessment in the United States? A “diffuse and inefficient” system exists, with no central agency dedicated to studying emerging technologies and advising Congress on potential impacts.
