An ad hoc committee, under the auspices of the Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy and the Committee on Science, Technology, and Law, will convene a series of workshops on the economic, legal, and regulatory implications of selected emerging technologies. Workshops will consider the impact that specific emerging technologies may have on economic development and capabilities and the challenges these technologies may present for current laws and regulations. Additionally, the workshops will consider how economic, legal, and regulatory regimes either foster or hinder emerging technologies. The workshops will convene experts from private, public, and academic sectors--both foreign and domestic.

Two workshops per year are anticipated, each focusing on issues related to an individual emerging technology or related technologies. The first workshop will examine economic, legal, and regulatory issues in artificial intelligence and robotics. The second workshop will review common policy issues among the United States, the United Kingdom, and China arising from recent advancements in artificial intelligence research and related technologies. As future topics are identified, the prospectus will be revised and submitted for GBEC approval for each workshop. Examples of emerging technologies that might be of future interest include artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, big data, internet medicine, synthetic biology, gene editing, 3D printing, drones, geoengineering, flexible electronics and wearables, and cognitive enhancements. The ad hoc committee will plan the workshop series, with subject-matter/technical experts added to the committee for each workshop, as needed.

A verbatim written transcript including slides used by panelists during their workshop presentation may be released at the conclusion of each workshop and posted online, following examination by the Office of the General Counsel. Alternatively, a proceedings in brief of workshop presentations and discussions may be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.