"During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet. I took the initiative in moving forward a whole range of initiatives that have proven to be important to our country's economic growth and environmental protection, improvements in our educational system."
I don't know, it seems fair to say that the person who made decisions about the direction of development that fostered the development has a claim on having caused said development.
I think the question you need to ask is whether the outcome would still be the same if the "decision maker" did not exist.
It's fair to say that Steve Jobs was a decision maker. Did he not take the "initiative"? Would Apple exist as it is today without him? Certainly not.
Also, President Bill Clinton ordered Selective Availability for GPS. Basically allowing for more precise GPS coordinates for civilian use. Do you think this decision did not help foster the use GPS system in cars?
My point is that decision makers cannot claim FULL credit for the development of a technology but they can claim credit nonetheless.
I don't know, it seems fair to say that the person who made decisions about the direction of development that fostered the development has a claim on having caused said development.