The Mind Hackers, or, How America Lost The Tech War

There are two kinds of people in this world:
those who believe technology will turn on us someday,
and those who realize that it already has.

While we expected them to hack our computers, they hacked our minds instead. The nation has been invaded, not by a foreign army, but by an army of avatars, trolls who impersonate American citizens and insert themselves into the national dialogue, and until we find a way to stop them, then America has already lost.

This is the alarming scenario that some experts warn is unfolding as China ramps up its efforts to challenge the U.S. in core technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. China’s tech ambitions have triggered a full-blown tech war with the U.S., which began under the Trump administration and is continuing under President Biden. The U.S. has responded by blocking China's access to key components and technologies, as well as cracking down on Chinese influence and espionage in American academia and research institutions.

But while the U.S. is focused on protecting its pots and recipes, it is neglecting its most valuable asset: its process knowledge. This is the unwritten, tacit know-how that comes from years of experience and experimentation, and that cannot be easily replicated or stolen. It is what makes Grandma’s cheesecake so special, and what gives the U.S. an edge over China in innovation and creativity.

Unfortunately, the U.S. is putting this asset at risk by alienating and prosecuting its own scientists, especially those of Chinese origin or descent. The Justice Department’s China Initiative, launched in 2018 to combat intellectual property theft and espionage, has resulted in dozens of indictments of researchers and academics, many of whom are accused of minor infractions such as failing to disclose ties to Chinese funding or institutions. These cases have created a climate of fear and distrust among the scientific community, and have discouraged collaboration and exchange with China.

This is a grave mistake. Science advances through openness and cooperation, not isolation and suspicion. The U.S. needs to nurture and support its scientists, not harass and intimidate them. It needs to foster a culture of curiosity and discovery, not paranoia and censorship. It needs to realize that its strength lies not in its patents or blueprints, but in its people.

The US still has a chance to win the tech war with China, but only if it changes its strategy. It needs to invest more in research and development, especially in emerging fields like quantum computing and biotechnology. It needs to reform its immigration system to attract and retain talent from around the world. It needs to engage with China on areas of common interest, such as climate change and pandemic response while competing fairly on areas of divergence. And it needs to respect and celebrate its scientists, who are the true guardians of America's technological supremacy.