Rob Atkinson

On May 15, 2022, Rob Atkinson testified before the United States Senate, providing expert insights on the state of technology policy in the U.S. His testimony focused on the importance of federal policies in supporting innovation and technology development, and made recommendations for legislative actions to enhance the United States' global competitiveness in technology sectors. Atkinson's contributions were significant to the congressional discourse on tech policy.

In April 2021, Rob Atkinson led the launch of the New American Economy program within the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. This initiative focuses on addressing the challenges faced by the US economy in the wake of technological change and global competition. It includes policy recommendations to boost American competitiveness through strategic public investment and support for innovation.

On August 10, 2020, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation released a report co-authored by Rob Atkinson titled 'The Case for Growth Centers: How to Spread Tech Innovation Across America.' This influential report proposed the establishment of regional innovation hubs across the United States to decentralize tech growth and reduce economic inequality by spreading opportunity outside traditional tech clusters such as Silicon Valley.

In June 2019, Rob Atkinson was named to the Global Top 100 Tech Influencers List by Onalytica, a recognition of his influence and contribution to the field of technology policy. This acknowledgment highlighted his significant role in shaping the debate and development of policies that influence international tech trends and innovations.

In June 2011, Rob Atkinson co-authored the book 'Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage' with Stephen J. Ezell. The book examines the dynamics of innovation-driven economies and provides a framework for how countries can compete effectively in the global economy by fostering innovation and deploying strategic policies. The publication further established Atkinson as a leading voice in the field of innovation economics.

In 2006, Rob Atkinson founded the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a think tank based in Washington, D.C. that focuses on technology innovation policy. ITIF has been influential in shaping public discourse and policy around technology issues, advocating for policies that support innovation, tech-driven economic growth, and improved productivity.

Robert D. Atkinson was born on November 30, 1956. He would become a significant figure in technology policy, known for his work as the president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that focuses on a wide range of critical issues at the intersection of technological innovation and public policy.