Policy Priorities

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformative tool with the potential to unlock new commercial opportunities and higher levels of human potential, and as a global leader in this rapidly evolving field, Hitachi is committed to ensuring that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly. We are thoughtfully engaging with policymakers in the federal government and with international standards setting bodies to ensure that the nation’s AI policy framework remains flexible and drives innovation, promotes transparency and trustworthiness, and encourages greater inclusivity and accessibility. While the federal government can accelerate the widespread adoption of responsible AI by creating an open research environment and increasing R&D investment, it is also incumbent on cutting-edge technology companies like Hitachi to provide policymakers with industry insight into areas that may warrant closer oversight. Ethical AI is our aim. Towards that end, we are collaborating across Hitachi Group companies to publish a set of AI Principles that will help our company and U.S. policymakers develop and deploy AI systems that are trustworthy, explainable and free from algorithmic bias.

Hitachi creates novel technologies with the sincere aim of transforming society for the better. The collection and utilization of data is central to that aim, and we recognize that the digital transformation we are driving cannot come at the expense of an individual’s privacy. Privacy and data protection dictate our design and development process, and we adhere to rigorous privacy protection standards that prioritize the individual while facilitating the healthy flow of useable data. 

We are committed to engaging with governments at every level to preserve the free flow of data across borders and promote data-guided innovation. This country is on the cusp of a new digital era, and companies should have the flexibility to keep pace with technological change and data-processing innovations. By adhering to industry-set guidelines rather than rigid regulations that could inadvertently weaken privacy protections for Americans, we are better positioned to protect evolving privacy vulnerabilities.

Hitachi is dedicated to realizing a sustainable energy future that is affordable, secure, and equitable. In addition to championing increased government R&D investment in advanced fuels and promising nuclear reactor technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), we are promoting an American energy policy framework centered on grid innovation. A smarter, greener, more resilient power grid is required for the carbon-neutral ecosystem the country is moving towards, and to achieve this, the federal government should streamline regulations to promote advanced energy deployment and make use of advanced transmission technologies and non-wires alternatives (NWAs) in grid modernization. We are also encouraging policy makers to accelerate the electrification of the nation’s transportation system, establish a framework to upgrade the transmission infrastructure, and promote energy efficiency.

Climate change poses a global, existential threat that will require novel forms of public and private sector cooperation to combat. At Hitachi, we are working with stakeholders at all levels of American government to identify areas of risk where our Social Innovation Business technologies or solutions might help mitigate the effects of climate change and expedite the country’s transition to a decarbonized society. In 2020, we announced Hitachi Carbon Neutrality 2030, our commitment to achieving carbon neutrality at Hitachi Group business sites by FY 2030. We are animated by the challenge of creating a more sustainable future and welcome continued dialogue and collaboration with policy makers and government entities.

If the United States is to remain the leading force in the global market, we must make a sustained investment in a modern, broad-based infrastructure system. The country’s ageing water, transportation, energy, and broadband networks are crippling American commerce and must be collectively addressed by both the public and private sectors. 

We recognize that re-envisioning and then rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure will be a monumental task, and we are committed to facilitating constructive policy discussions between local, state, and federal stakeholders. A comprehensive infrastructure package is needed to preserve the American innovation ecosystem, and we want to help position this country to take advantage of the advanced technology systems undergirding new infrastructure projects. Towards that end, we are urging policymakers to consider and pursue all available forms of funding. This includes everything from public private partnerships, state and local bonds, federal grants, and financing support.

Hitachi solutions are helping drive an American mobility revolution, but public policies must be designed to fully unleash private sector innovation and support a modern mobility ecosystem that is sustainable, connected, and equitable. Realizing this will require robust federal R&D funding and a policy framework that speeds the development of Autonomous Vehicle (AV) systems, Electric Vehicle (EV) technologies, and high-speed rail. It will also require a realignment of regulations crafted for human-piloted, combustible engine vehicles and a government-led effort to expand broadband and 5G access. We are also advocating for broader use of federal capital grants so transit authorities can provide more affordable and efficient services through: predictive / preventable maintenance; data analysis for trains and rail systems; station upgrades for cashless / touchless entry solutions; positive train control; and autonomous systems for freight and transit lines.

Advanced robotics, Quantum Computing, and distributed ledger technologies such as Blockchain promise to revolutionize American society through increased efficiency and transparency. And as a digital transformation leader, Hitachi is committed to harnessing the potential of these technologies across many sectors of the economy so that their benefits can be enjoyed by all segments of society. As such, we support policies that foster innovation, support open research, and direct greater investment in these groundbreaking technologies. We are also advocating for deeper collaboration between industry, academia, and the federal government. We are proud to continue making advances in these technologies, and we urge policymakers to adopt pro-innovation polices that will allow the U.S. to remain at the forefront of these fields.

As a globally engaged company committed to realizing a more prosperous and sustainable society, we promote trade policies that foster deeper economic integration between nations and regions. Foreign markets should be open to American ingenuity, and U.S. firms deserve the opportunity to compete abroad on a level playing field. International commerce depends on predictability and stability, and U.S. trade policy should reaffirm the efficacy of the rules-based global trading system. Towards that end, the United States should take up the mantle of free trade and push for lower tariffs, the elimination of non-tariff barriers, the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights, and the free flow of data across borders. As globalization continues apace, a robust free trade outlook will be needed to ensure that Americans can enjoy its benefits. 

As drivers of American innovation, we feel a profound sense of responsibility for the economic and social changes that our technologies inspire. The future of work is evolving rapidly and technical talent is needed to not only meet today’s workforce demands, but to also increase economic opportunity by creating the industries of tomorrow. We support legislation that promotes vocational and technical skills training, and we advocate for enhanced STEM education programs to give young Americans of all backgrounds the technical tools to compete in the global economy.

At Hitachi, we also believe that diversity of thought, beliefs, and backgrounds should be prized and protected. Our vision for a more prosperous future is colored by our nearly 300,000 employees worldwide. This diverse workforce makes our creativity richer and our initiatives bolder, and just as we as a company are made better by a diverse and inclusive culture, so too is the United States.