Strategic Competition > Geoeconomic Statecraft
Shaping Technology Standards & Norms
Standards Shape Power in the Digital Age
The one who writes the rules writes the future. The U.S. must lead the codification of digital liberty.
Kennedy photo - Vatican.
🔹 Strategic Context
- This page is part of WISC’s Strategic Competition framework, applying geoeconomic statecraft through the STEAD model — integrating Security, Technology, Economics, Alliances, and Diplomacy — to secure U.S. leadership across critical domains.
Why Shaping Technology Standards and Norms Matters
- Standards define systems—and systems define power.
- Emerging technologies such as AI, 5G/6G, quantum computing, and digital payments will:
- Establish new global architectures of commerce, security, and governance
- Embed either democratic values (openness, privacy, transparency) or authoritarian values (surveillance, control, coercion)
- If free societies fail to lead in setting technology standards and shaping digital norms, authoritarian regimes will fill the vacuum.
- Strategic leadership today requires not just technological capability, but standards and norms leadership to secure an open, trusted, resilient global system.
Strategic Priorities for Shaping Technology Standards and Norms
- Lead Multilateral Technology Governance Efforts: Drive cooperative standard-setting through the G7, Quad, OECD, TTC, and emerging coalitions.
- Align Democratic Standards Across Allies: Ensure interoperability, trust, and mutual recognition among U.S., EU, Indo-Pacific, and other partners in key technology domains.
- Engage Emerging Markets Proactively: Build partnerships with nations in Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and South Asia to expand adoption of open, democratic tech ecosystems.
- Secure Private Sector and Civil Society Leadership: Support U.S. and allied industry, standards bodies, and NGOs participating in global governance forums.
- Integrate Standards into Trade, Aid, and Investment Policy: Ensure that technology standards alignment is embedded in development financing, supply chain agreements, and infrastructure investment strategies.
Insights & Engagements
🏛️ Engaging Administration or Congress, 📰 Op-Ed / Article / Quoted 🎙️ Podcast ✍️ Policy Brief 👥 Roundtable / Event 🎤 Speaking 🎥 TV/Video 🌐 Global
Closing Principle
In the competition of systems, those who shape technology standards and norms will define liberty—or its erosion—for generations to come.
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🔷 Featured Insights
Speech: Preserving the Ideals of the Enlightenment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - AI Action Summit in Paris - February 11, 2025