Preparing US Manufacturing to Lead Through Technology Adoption
How will the United States incorporate advanced manufacturing into its industrial base? Why is it critical that policymakers consider elements of advanced manufacturing - such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics - in their plans for the future of US production systems and U.S. global competitiveness?
On February 12th, 2025, a US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee held a meeting on the role of AI in manufacturing to seek answers to these questions. DUSP’s Elisabeth Reynolds was tapped to provide expert testimony to the committee. Reynolds drew upon her experiences as Special Assistant to the President for Manufacturing and Economic Development at the National Economic Council and leading research at MIT to offer recommendations for rebuilding the U.S. industrial base by increasing the adoption of new technological innovations, especially in small to midsize enterprises (SMEs), investing in workforce training and education to allow workers to successfully adapt to these new technologies, and investing in research in manufacturing process innovation and its deployment in industry. “Revitalizing and expanding the manufacturing workforce is critical to the U.S. economic and competitiveness agenda going forward,” Reynolds said in her testimony. “It is estimated the US could face a shortage of nearly two million manufacturing workers by 2033. The best way to avert a shortfall is to upskill current workers, which would make them more productive and extend their careers, as well as attract a new generation into the sector through use of advanced technologies. This can be achieved alongside digitalization, because companies that adopt new and advanced technologies also invest in skills upgrading of their workforce.”
Reynolds is a Professor of the Practice with the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT. Her work is focused on systems of innovation, manufacturing and industrial competitiveness, and regional economic development. Reynolds’ recent research and policy work has focused on growing innovative companies to scale, digital technology adoption and inclusive growth. She served under the Biden Administration, helping lead the Administration's work on national manufacturing strategy, supply chain resilience and industrial strategy. Prior to her work at the White House, she also co-led the MIT Task Force on the Work of the Future which examined the relationship between emerging technologies, the nature of work, and U.S. institutions.
“As MIT research over the decades has underscored, manufacturing capabilities are deeply entwined with innovation capacity in both product and process innovation. It is through advances in manufacturing, including the use of AI, that we can increase the speed of production and time to market of new technologies, reduce costs, increase energy efficiency and provide quality jobs for workers,” said Reynolds in her testimony.
Access the recording of the meeting and the transcripts of witness testimony.