The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was founded in 1901 and is now part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST is one of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories.
How many Americans do you think know of The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and your mission?
I have given about 140 talks this year, highlighting how The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plays a fundamental role in the U.S. industry and its participation in global trade. Our work involves developing measurement standards that ensure the quality of everything from steel to cybersecurity protocols. These standards are crucial for evaluating new products or innovations, whether in biology or advanced technologies. Without NIST, many of these advancements wouldn't happen, as our work provides the essential benchmarks that industries rely on. However, it has always been a challenge to tell NIST's story effectively. We are such an integral part of the system that most people don't realize our impact. Without NIST, many industries would struggle, yet with us, our presence often goes unnoticed because the assumption is that everything just works.
Why is now the moment that people are paying more attention to chips and NIST?
The COVID-19 pandemic initially brought attention to semiconductor shortages that affected everything from medical devices to new cars and appliances. This sudden lack highlighted how a missing component could disrupt everyday life, sparking conversations about semiconductors that had not happened before. As we moved beyond the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and climate impacts further emphasized the importance of resilient supply chains. Recent natural disasters, like severe hurricanes, have shown how vulnerable global supply chains can be. We are in a unique moment where the need to secure essential components has become clear, whether due to pandemics, political challenges, or climate events.
With the CHIPS Act and efforts to reindustrialize, how does the U.S. balance competitiveness with global collaboration?
Global collaboration is crucial; we’ll never be able to produce everything ourselves, and we shouldn’t aim to. We have strong partners around the world who excel in areas where we might not, and this global interdependence is a reality we cannot reverse. The global nature of the economy means that we continue to rely on each other for supply chains and critical components, and that should remain the case. At the same time, the ongoing investments in reindustrialization in the U.S. are vital. I’m proud of the efforts to bring back high-quality manufacturing jobs and build domestic capabilities. However, this focus on strengthening our production capacity does not mean isolating ourselves. Instead, it’s about being a strong contributor in a globally interconnected network, ensuring that we remain linked to others who can complement our strengths.
What challenges do you foresee over the next few years, and what is NIST's role in addressing them?
We are tackling many high-visibility challenges, including the CHIPS Act, AI, and quantum research, as well as other critical areas like cybersecurity. One of our main goals is to execute these initiatives effectively and deliver on our promises, as much of our nation's future depends on it. Our ability to successfully revive semiconductor manufacturing and innovate in this sector is critical for our economic stability. Additionally, our work in developing a framework for AI safety is equally important. Establishing standards for measuring bias, safety, and risk in AI is vital for ensuring responsible adoption of these technologies. We see our role as helping to shape the future, making sure that technological advancements benefit everyone while maintaining a focus on innovation and ethical considerations.
How does NIST approach measuring bias in AI, given that bias is inherently subjective?
Measuring bias in AI is a complex challenge because it involves both technical and human factors. NIST is historically focused on scientific precision, like measuring the accuracy of quantum clocks. But with AI, we're now dealing with socio-technical characteristics, where the human element plays a significant role.
Our goal is to develop methods to measure these characteristics with as much reliability as possible, even though we acknowledge that we'll never achieve the same precision as we do in purely technical measurements. By bringing in experts from different fields, we aim to create a framework that helps reduce bias in AI systems while recognizing the complexities involved.
If you were to serve at NIST for another four years, what would you hope your legacy would be?
Rather than focusing on my own legacy, I hope the legacy of NIST during this period will be seen as a time when we fundamentally changed the landscape of science and technology in the U.S. It’s about being able to look back and recognize that we helped shape major technological advancements and positioned the nation to thrive in areas like semiconductors, AI, and quantum technologies. Our team is working hard to ensure that the U.S. can innovate and manufacture critical technologies domestically while fostering a spirit of global collaboration. I hope that when people look back, they’ll see a period where NIST played a pivotal role in driving forward scientific progress that benefited not only the U.S. but also contributed to global advancements.
How do you envision the world in 2030, particularly with advancements in quantum computing and AI?
One of the most exciting aspects of science is its unpredictability. There are moments when a breakthrough happens, leapfrogging over what everyone thought was possible. We’ve seen this in biotechnology with gene sequencing and in AI over the last year. These developments completely changed their fields and arrived much faster than expected. I believe the same will happen with quantum computing. We might think it’s still decades away, but it only takes one major leap to bring it within reach much sooner. The potential of quantum computing to transform industries is enormous, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a game-changing discovery happens sooner than we think. For me, the future is about embracing the unexpected and being ready to adapt when those big leaps occur.
