SCETA Survey Reveals Emerging Consensus on South Carolina Technology Future

Comparison of gubernatorial candidates and experienced technology advocates highlights shared priorities around innovation, energy, workforce development, privacy, and digital assets.

South Carolina may be closer than many realize to a shared vision for emerging technology policy.

A survey released by the South Carolina Emerging Tech Association (SCETA) found substantial agreement between Republican gubernatorial candidates and experienced technology advocates on several issues expected to shape the state's future economy, including energy modernization, workforce development, digital rights, artificial intelligence, and digital asset policy.

The survey compared responses from two Republican gubernatorial candidates with an Emerging Technology Benchmark Panel consisting of longtime South Carolina technology advocates. The purpose was to identify policy themes and areas of agreement rather than rank or endorse candidates.

Five key findings emerged:

1. Innovation and regulatory modernization

2. Privacy and digital rights

3. Energy infrastructure modernization

4. Workforce development

5. Digital asset policy

The findings align closely with themes advanced through ASCENDSC™ and the PIEC™ framework: Payments, Identity, Energy, and Compute.

'For years, discussions about emerging technology were treated as niche issues. The survey suggests those issues are moving into the mainstream. Energy, digital rights, workforce development, artificial intelligence, and digital assets are becoming part of South Carolina’s economic development conversation. That’s an important shift.'

SCETA plans to expand the survey following the primary election and continue engaging policymakers, educators, businesses, and citizens in conversations about South Carolina’s technology future.