Investing in industries and technology for the 21st century

The words of Jay Inslee, “Investing in industries and technology for the 21st century generates high-skilled, high-wage jobs for industries of the future,” resound as a declaration of vision and responsibility. He reminds us that the foundation of prosperity is not built solely on the present, but on the seeds we plant for generations yet to come. By directing resources, intellect, and energy toward technology and industries of the future, society cultivates a workforce capable of meeting the challenges of tomorrow, equipped with both skill and dignity.

The origin of this wisdom lies in Inslee’s life as a political leader and advocate for sustainable development and innovation. Speaking at a time when the global economy is shifting rapidly, he recognized that investment in forward-looking industries—renewable energy, biotechnology, artificial intelligence—does more than produce goods; it creates high-skilled jobs that empower individuals and elevate communities. His words are a call to action: to align policy and resources not with the conveniences of the present, but with the enduring demands of a rapidly changing world.

History offers lessons in the power of foresight. Consider the Industrial Revolution, when investments in machinery, steel production, and railroads transformed society. The visionaries who funded these innovations did more than produce goods—they created entire classes of skilled workers, craftspeople, and engineers. Towns flourished, wages rose, and opportunities multiplied. Inslee’s words echo this pattern: deliberate investment in emerging industries is an investment not only in infrastructure, but in human potential.

Even more recently, the rise of the information technology sector illustrates the truth of Inslee’s insight. In the late 20th century, governments and private enterprises invested in computers, software, and telecommunications. The result was a generation of workers with unprecedented skills, from programmers to network engineers, whose labor commanded higher wages and whose expertise propelled the economy forward. These were the industries of the future born from deliberate action and visionary investment.

The meaning of his message is clear: society must anticipate the future rather than react to it. By investing wisely in technology, we cultivate human capacity, ensuring that workers are not left behind as the world changes. High-skilled jobs are more than a reward; they are a responsibility—a means to empower individuals, sustain families, and strengthen communities. Inslee reminds us that investment is not merely financial, but moral, shaping the dignity and opportunity of countless lives.

The lesson for us is profound: to secure prosperity and justice, one must embrace both foresight and courage. It is not enough to maintain current industries or rely on past successes. One must identify emerging technologies, cultivate talent, and foster environments where innovation thrives. Those who invest with vision create not only products and infrastructure, but a society equipped to meet the demands of tomorrow with skill and integrity.

Practical action flows naturally from this insight. Support educational programs that teach the skills of the future. Encourage research and development in sustainable and transformative technologies. Advocate for policies that align public investment with long-term growth and high-wage employment. In personal life, cultivate adaptability and mastery of new skills, positioning oneself to contribute meaningfully to the evolving economy.

Thus, let Jay Inslee’s words echo across generations: investing in industries and technology generates high-skilled, high-wage jobs for the future. Let them remind us that the measure of a society is not only in its wealth, but in the opportunities it creates for human flourishing, the dignity of its labor, and the vision it carries into the unfolding centuries. By sowing wisely today, we reap the enduring harvest of a prosperous and empowered tomorrow.