He said in order to remain the technology leader, America has to have talent and attract talent from around the world.
In regard to talent, Helble asked McCormick if it worries him that engineering and computer science bachelor’s degrees continue to grow in China as they continue to fall in the U.S., with the ratio of engineering and computer science bachelor’s degrees granted in China compared to the U.S. being about 9 to 1.
McCormick said he is deeply worried about the statistics Helble shared. He said it’s important to note that America’s percentage of that ratio include the brightest minds of the world in the best universities across the globe, but thinks the U.S. is at risk of losing that lead and special ability.
“We should ensure that we don’t lose a unique asset we have, which is we still are the place that most of the greatest people in the world want to come,” he said. “We’ve got to take advantage of that and become the place that that talent comes and manifests itself.”
McCormick also noted the importance of ensuring there’s funding in sciences to support a growing number of scientists, and giving talented people that come to the U.S. the opportunity to stay and build the next generation of great companies.
In terms of data, McCormick referred to it as “the new strategic currency.”
“It’s the underlying thing that one needs to drive innovation in the world of artificial intelligence,” McCormick said.
He said the final chapter of the book explains that unless you have leadership, none of those basic ingredients—talent, technology and data—can come together.
“It’s like any organization, you have to have a leadership to take it in the right direction,” McCormick said. “And these aren’t republican ideas or democratic ideas, these are leadership ideas. These are what it requires to make America successful.”
He said since arriving in the Senate, he’s introduced bipartisan legislation and takes a bipartisan approach in working with others to try to make progress.
“I am constantly reminded of the fact that while three and a half million people voted for me, I represent everybody, and so conducting oneself where you can get things done, stay true to your principles and recognize a lot of people you’re supporting and representing didn’t vote for you—that’s the opportunity but also the challenge.”
Early in the conversation, Helble inquired about McCormick’s upbringing in Pennsylvania and path to earning a Ph.D. in international relations from Princeton University.
Born in western Pennsylvania and raised in Bloomsburg, McCormick attended the United States Military Academy. A U.S. Army veteran, he went on to serve in the 82nd Airborne Division and was deployed to the Middle East during the First Gulf War, retiring with the rank of Captain. After earning his Ph.D., McCormick began his business career in Pittsburgh, where he rose to become CEO of FreeMarkets, a pioneering technology startup. He served as Under Secretary of the Treasury and Deputy National Security Advisor. Before running for the Pennsylvania Senate in 2022, McCormick was CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest investment firms.
Compelling Perspectives debuted in 2023. In November, Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global and founder of the Huffington Post, kicked off the academic year’s series with a discussion about the human side of AI and its role in personal health development and well-being.
Steve Wozniak, tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple, will be Lehigh’s third speaker on Jan. 29, 2026. His technology-informed discussion will focus on the evolving landscape of AI. The event is free and open to the public.
