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Public Support for Research in Artificial Intelligence: A Descriptive Study of U.S. Department of Defense SBIR Projects

Author

Listed:
  • Chowdhury, Farhat

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics)

  • Link, Albert

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics)

  • van Hasselt, Martijn

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics)

Abstract

We describe public support for AI research in small firms using data from U.S. Department of Defense-funded SBIR projects. Ours is the first collection of firm-level project information on publicly funded R&D investments in AI. We find that the likelihood of an SBIR funded research project being focused on AI is greater the larger the amount of the SBIR award. AI-focused research projects are associated with a 7.6 percent increase in average award amounts. We also find suggestive evidence that the likelihood of an SBIR project being AI-focused is greater in smaller-sized firms. Finally, we find that SBIR-funded AI research is more likely to occur in states with complementary university research resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Chowdhury, Farhat & Link, Albert & van Hasselt, Martijn, 2022. "Public Support for Research in Artificial Intelligence: A Descriptive Study of U.S. Department of Defense SBIR Projects," UNCG Economics Working Papers 22-3, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:uncgec:2022_003
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    Cited by:

    1. Sven Wolff & Christina Guenther & Petra Moog & David B. Audretsch, 2023. "The geography of the continuum of entrepreneurship activities—a first glance based on German data," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(4), pages 1243-1273, August.
    2. Alessandra Colombelli & Elettra D’Amico & Emilio Paolucci, 2023. "When computer science is not enough: universities knowledge specializations behind artificial intelligence startups in Italy," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 1599-1627, October.
    3. Goel, Rajeev K. & Nelson, Michael A., 2023. "Awareness of artificial intelligence: Diffusion of information about AI versus ChatGPT in the United States," Kiel Working Papers 2259, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    4. Jaehyuk Park, 2024. "Analyzing the direct role of governmental organizations in artificial intelligence innovation," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(2), pages 437-465, April.
    5. Arturo Vega & Claudia Gabbioneta & Carlos Osorio & James Cunningham, 2024. "A micro-level study of research impact and motivational diversity," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(4), pages 1303-1346, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Artificial intelligence; machine learning; Department of Defense; Small Business Innovation Research program; agglomeration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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