Jim Mullen, Executive Director, Council for Economic Resilience (CFER) joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss the far-reaching economic benefits of automation and autonomy and how these technologies benefit every single member of society.

Autonomy is good for the economy. From national security and job creation to supply chain resiliency and lower inflation, automation and autonomy are critical pillars of economic resilience. Reflecting on his time in the Trump administration (45), Jim reflects on the early groundwork that the administration took towards developing and implementing a national autonomous vehicle framework.

Four years later, with President Trump back in the White House and China aggressively ramping up their automation and autonomy ambitions at the detriment to the United States. The need for a national autonomous vehicle framework that allows autonomy to prosper in the United States is more urgent than ever.

Automation and autonomy will not only create high-paying jobs and lower inflation but these technologies will also empower underserved communities, unlock entirely new industries, and ensure that America maintains the strongest, most resilient economy in the world.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Automation & Autonomy Policies

4:45 What if Autonomous Trucks were Rolling During Covid?

6:55 Benefits of Automation & Autonomy

14:23 National Autonomous Vehicle Framework

18:24 Grassroots Community Engagement

23:04 The Amazon Effect

24:11 Automation & Autonomy’s Impact on Society

33:48 Public Support of Automation & Autonomy

36:37 American Leadership

40:16 Key Takeaway

Recorded on Thursday, May 29, 2025

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