Blackburn, Warner, DelBene, Pfluger Introduce Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Immersive Technology Leadership
December 11, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) along with Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) and August Pfluger (R-Texas) introduced the United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act to establish an advisory panel tasked with creating a national immersive technology strategy:
“We need to stay two steps ahead of our adversaries when it comes to applying immersive technology in American industries and stimulating economic growth,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act would make certain we can compete with adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party and safeguard national security as virtual reality and augmented reality become more prevalent on the world stage.”
“The global technology landscape is rapidly changing. In order to take full advantage of the possibilities of XR, remain competitive globally, and protect our national interests, it’s crucial that we have industry and government leaders working together on the same page. This legislation will help to do just that by creating a national strategy for XR,” said Senator Warner.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be left behind in the burgeoning XR field,” said Rep. DelBene. “As our world becomes increasingly technological, it is crucial that we prepare to compete effectively on the global stage while protecting our interests. This legislation will help us catch up to other global leaders and regain our foothold in creating national standards.”
“Immersive Technology is an essential technological tool utilized by thousands of Americans, businesses, and our military for enhanced simulation and training capabilities. Recently, China has been aggressively investing in XR technology, posing a potential threat to our economic and national security interests,” said Rep. Pfluger. “Our legislation will ensure the United States maintains global leadership through a national strategy in this emerging technology.”
BACKGROUND:- Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), collectively known as immersive technology (XR), allow us to blend the digital and physical worlds into one integrated experience. From automatically generated closed captions of live conversations for the hearing impaired to creating personalized, hands-on training modules for students, the benefits of XR are limitless.
- Despite being home to some of the world’s largest XR content and hardware producers, the U.S. lags behind other countries in creating a clear roadmap for applying them to commercial and personal use. Already, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and China have strategies that allow them to embrace immersive technologies. The U.S. is relinquishing its role on the international stage to guide the creation of XR standards without a strategy.
UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP IN IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT:
The United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act would:
- Direct the U.S. Department of Commerce to create an advisory panel to advise the president on how to utilize XR in commerce, trade, and economic competitiveness, in coordination with relevant Congressional committees.
- Direct the advisory panel to study the state of XR and the effects of XR on our national security.
Read the full bill text here.
