For the past three decades, the world has been transformed in ways that could scarcely be imagined in the middle of the 20th Century. The information technology revolution -- driven in large part by astonishing innovations in software -- has provided tools that have transformed the way we live, work, and play. All around the world, people are producing more with less effort, enjoying a cleaner and safer environment, and shrinking vast distances with inexpensive global communications. The Internet has opened doors to new worlds of instantly accessible information and entertainment. Technology devices have become commonplace even for workers in traditionally non-technological fields, such as artists and automotive mechanics. The exhilarating pace of this change has left us rightfully optimistic about the 21st Century.

At the same time, we recognize that we will face significant challenges in the coming years. Continued global innovation -- and the software industry’s ability to contribute -- will be tested by a number of developing problems: an inadequate education system, trade barriers, cyber crime, growing disrespect for intellectual property. Overcoming these challenges will require new strategies and new policies that emphasize partnership between industry and government, and that recognize when action is necessary and when markets should be allowed to work.

The first paper, Educating for the Future, was released in June 2004. It identifies the challenges faced by our education system in a rapidly changing world and offers a series of recommendations for creating lifelong learning that is relevant to the 21st Century economy. The second paper in the series, Intellectual Property in the 21st Century, was released in January 2005. This paper focuses on policies and reforms in three key areas to promote and protect IP and software innovation.

Over the course of the next several months, the BSA CEOs will release the three remaining reports on innovation, cyber security and trade.  The CEOs will examine the challenges and make recommendations to policymakers and industry that will help ensure that, collectively, we have the best possible technology tools to promote prosperity throughout this new century.