FAI's Ian Banks Engages in Key Discussion on Reconfiguring U.S. Science Agencies for National Interest

Washington, D.C. – Ian Banks, Director of Science Policy at the Foundation for American Innovation (FAI), recently participated in a significant conversation with Sayre Evan regarding the critical task of reconfiguring U.S. science agencies to better serve the national interest. The discussion underscores a growing focus on modernizing the American scientific enterprise amid increasing global competition and evolving technological landscapes.

Banks, a prominent voice in conservative science policy, highlighted the necessity of these reforms. According to his public statements and FAI initiatives, the goal is to revitalize America's scientific leadership by addressing challenges such as declining research productivity, bureaucratic hurdles, and intensifying competition, particularly with China. The FAI's science policy program, led by Banks, aims to develop actionable proposals across several key areas.

These priorities include rebuilding science agencies for the innovation age, accelerating scientific innovation, restoring scientific integrity through transparency and reproducibility standards, and strengthening the U.S. scientific talent pipeline. Banks has previously emphasized that maintaining a lead in critical domains like AI, quantum computing, and energy technology is essential for both economic prosperity and national security. He advocates for robust federal investment in foundational research that the private sector might not initially pursue.

The conversation aligns with broader discussions within Washington regarding the future of federal science funding and its strategic alignment. Recent legislative efforts, such as the CHIPS and Science Act, reflect a push to enhance American competitiveness in key technological sectors. This instrumentalist view of science, treating it as a vital tool for national goals, is a central theme in current policy debates.

Banks' work at FAI and his previous roles at the American Enterprise Institute and as a legislative aide to Rep. Bill Posey position him as a key figure in shaping these policy reforms. His engagement with figures like Sayre Evan demonstrates ongoing efforts to build consensus and drive forward a new approach to science policy designed to secure America's future in a rapidly changing world.