Tech Talkin’ Govs: Kasich zeroes in on innovation

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is one of the last governors to deliver a state of the state address, which he did Tuesday evening. The former presidential contender assured the audience that he is “not running for anything,” but wanted to thank those who worked on managing the state budget. He used the address to focus on a variety of topics, including tech and innovation initiatives in the state, and educational efforts to support those industries. Kasich did not read a prepared speech and the following comments were taken from a transcript of his address:

“In a rapidly changing economic environment, in the digital age, in the age of worldwide markets, we can't do what we used to do. We have to anticipate and meet change head on because if we hesitate, the future will pass us by. And we must leverage change to our advantage, and that means takings risks.”

“The new Edisons and Wright brothers, they're out there. Some of them might be right here tonight. And we need to find them and encourage them. That's why I've proposed creating a chief innovative officer for Ohio to help keep us ahead of the curve in a world where technology is changing faster and more profoundly than ever. This person will lead a new Ohio Institute of Technology. We’re not expanding the government, we can rearrange it and make things work better. That person will mine our strengths, coordinate our resources, and always looking ahead to what's coming next. Whether it's advanced materials, the latest in biotechnology, aerospace, robotics, sensors, and others areas that we haven’t even thought about. We have a lot of research in Ohio. It's not coordinated, it's not put together, it’s not focused. We have such a great opportunity to create new things here in the 21st Century. If we come up with these ideas, they can change our world in the very new future.”

“Big data will lead us to better healthcare – like at the Cleveland Clinic. They find out what works and what doesn't. It's almost like personalized medicine. It is so cool because you don't have to waste time and keep coming back. Think about the Cleveland Clinic, think about technology. That's what big data is all about. Using big data will help us unlock the answers to things like infant mortality. Why does it happen? Drug addiction. What is the pattern that leads people into using drugs? We can even use big data to tackle education challenges.”

“Now, folks, when I talk to my friends in the technology area – and I know a lot of them – they marvel about what's coming. I talk to them about it all the time. But they also caution about the dramatic impact all of this will have on today's industries and workers. … The dramatic change is coming. Assembly lines and their workers will see even more changes from robotics. You know the number one occupation in America is a driver. What do you think is going to happen when we're confronted by the reality of self-driving trucks? The entire automobile supply chain workforce will face changes from internal combustion to the electric motor. Folks, this is coming. Make no mistake, this change will affect not just blue-collar jobs. Insurance adjusters, stockbrokers, they may be impacted by artificial intelligence. Who knows, maybe in the General Assembly we'll be replaced by robots. You just never know.”

“Universities, they're going to be a thing of the past if they're not careful. Rising costs are not sustainable. People are not going to pay this. Costs of operation, the way those costs are reflected in what students and parents have to pay. I want to give a shout out to Dr. Drake at Ohio State. He bundled up all of his industry energy operations and he leased them out for a 50 years. He's getting a half a billion dollars up front that he's going to use it for scholarships. Why? He's thinking differently. Our universities and colleges need to embrace technology and new ways of learning that can help bring these costs under control. These community colleges, they rock. I'm telling you. They get it. Okay? (Applause) …. Georgia Tech – I think AT&T worked with Georgia Tech. We're bringing AT&T into the state to help work with us. You can get a master's degree in computer science, entirely online, not a minute in the classroom, for you know how much? $6,000. Now, I asked our universities to do this. I didn't get very far with them, but I got the community colleges working on it.

“They're going to be disintermediated, these universities. A lot of education is going to go a different way. We've got to get ahead of this.”

“I'm asking the Third Frontier Commission to provide up to $20 million to help bring new scientific breakthroughs to the battle against drug abuse and addiction. They're targeting existing, proven ideas and bring an extra push to be brought to the fight. Ideas like using a simple device that connects to someone's ear that can relieve pain and it blocks the effects of opiate withdrawal. You see, if you talk to the experts now, there are things that can work with the brain. If we can research and push -- that's why we're going to spend $20 million. … I think the $20 million is going to be worth it. I'm excited. And I hope you're excited that we're thinking a little bit differently about all of this.”