Inside NIST’s June 2025 Meeting: Where US Tech Policy Gets Personal
Earlier this month, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) opened its doors for the June 2025 meeting of the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology, known as the VCAT. This is not just a technical review. It is where some of the country’s top minds come together to ask hard questions, test big ideas, and help shape the United States’ approach to the technologies that will define the next decade.
Held in person on June 10, the event brought together experts from across industry, government, and academia for a wide ranging discussion on everything from artificial intelligence and quantum computing to biotechnology, infrastructure, and public trust.
So what exactly is the VCAT? Think of it as NIST’s external conscience. This federally mandated advisory group is made up of independent voices appointed by the NIST director. Their job is to make sure the agency stays focused on what matters most to the nation scientific progress, responsible innovation, and economic resilience.
At this meeting, the committee got right to the point: how well is NIST aligning its programs with the top priorities coming from the White House and Congress?
The answer: pretty well, especially in AI and quantum science. NIST is pushing forward on building robust standards for artificial intelligence, with a focus on managing risk and promoting secure, responsible uses. In quantum technology, the agency is helping move breakthrough science out of the lab and into real world applications, all while keeping an eye on new cybersecurity threats posed by quantum computing’s future capabilities.
Biotech was also a big focus. With supply chains and public health still high on the national agenda, NIST’s work in biomanufacturing is gaining momentum. The agency is supporting projects that tie scientific measurement to real production environments, helping to modernize US manufacturing and increase resilience.
The committee also spent time discussing something a bit more grounded but equally important: the safety and condition of NIST’s research facilities. Aging infrastructure is a growing concern, and significant funding is now going toward updating labs so that scientists can continue working in safe, high quality spaces.
One standout feature of this meeting was its openness. Anyone could attend. There was time set aside for public comments and written submissions, a clear reminder that NIST takes transparency and engagement seriously. That commitment matters, especially as science and policy become more connected than ever.
In a world where technological leadership is up for grabs, meetings like this are not ceremonial. They are directional. The guidance coming out of VCAT shapes the choices NIST makes, and those choices ripple out to industry, education, defense, and healthcare.
The bottom line? NIST is not just keeping pace with change. It is working to define the standard by which change will be measured.
You can view the full agenda and public participation details here:
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