ORF America hosted a group of young professionals for an after hours discussion with Stephen Ezell and Dr. Andreas Kuehn. Stephen is currently vice president for global innovation policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and director of ITIF’s Center for Life Sciences Innovation. Dr. Andreas Kuehn is currently a senior fellow at ORF America and leads research on the cyber and tech governance program. 

This fifth edition of the series, on semiconductors and technological alliances, covered a range of issues that explored the drivers, outcomes, and future of American tech alliances with young professionals in international affairs. The passage of huge pieces of legislation, increased bilateral cooperation, and international reconfiguration, made this a timely discussion. Panelists emphasized several solutions including minilateralism, safeguarding intellectual property rights, and implementing a rules based system. On semiconductors, panelists noted important challenges to the implementation of critical U.S. legislation, including readiness of countries to ‘friend-shore’ as well as attracting and retaining talent crucial to this industry. 

This was the fifth convening of the series hosted by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, DC. The series offers participants the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts,  as well as a platform to network with peers. Participants include Washington, DC’s best and brightest from the U.S. Government, Congressional Staff, think tanks, graduate programs, and the private sector.