Business

 Leadership of America: Building the Future in Space

America has long been at the forefront of innovation, but in today’s ever-evolving world, we need to take a hard look at what leadership really means, especially when it comes to our technological and economic future. With the vast amount of businesses and industries based here, inventorying what we have in stock is crucial. But it’s not just about managing physical assets—it’s about strategically preparing for the future. And part of that preparation means reconsidering some of our current ideas, like the International Space Station. Bringing the ISS down to Earth, so to speak, is a concept that should be taken off the table for now. Instead, we should look at how we can evolve it and similar technology to push human progress forward—into space.

Advanced technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) is already transforming industries, but we need to integrate these tools into our education system to prepare the next generation for jobs that don’t even exist yet. These emerging technologies need to be part of school curriculums to ensure our youth are ready for the new working economy—one that extends into space. The high-risk jobs of tomorrow, involving space exploration, construction, and resource extraction, are coming to the table faster than many think. If we’re going to prepare for these shifts, it’s crucial that we act now.

As we witness power struggles both internationally and within our own borders, it’s easy to get distracted. However, true leadership looks beyond the immediate chaos and focuses on what lies ahead. For me, growing up during the era of "No Child Left Behind," I’ve seen how these political initiatives often fall short. Now, as someone who faces emotional and cognitive challenges that have made traditional work difficult, I understand more than most how important it is to be adaptable in an uncertain world. I’ve worked high-risk jobs and stood my ground, only to be laid off and thrown into a struggle for stability. But I’ve never doubted myself.

I continue to push forward, studying the economy, understanding human capability, and exploring the potential of AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. It raises an important question: if we can work with AI to solve complex problems, why aren't we working in space without the barrier of extensive degrees or military pathways? High-risk work has been a part of my life since day one, and I believe the future workforce should be equally open to those who are willing to take risks, without unnecessary roadblocks.

When we talk about space, we need to think creatively. Imagine building robotic “ants” that can be deployed in space to capture asteroids. These ants could work in teams, burrowing into space rocks and using electric charges to break them down into manageable sizes for processing. Their mission would be to minimize disturbance to the rock’s trajectory, ensuring the work happens smoothly and efficiently. After completing their tasks, they would retreat to a “nest,” ready for the next mission. This is where the space station comes into play. It’s already out there, so instead of decommissioning it, we should be updating and utilizing it as a base for future space operations. Eventually, a new space station can be built to take over, and the ISS can be moved deeper into space as a waypoint for future missions.

So where should business leaders be looking? The answer is simple: space. While we sit here on Earth, we can’t just wonder about the future—we need to build it. And we can, with the right technology, education, and leadership. The future economy won’t just be global; it will be interstellar. It’s time to prepare.