Artificial Intelligence (formerly Emerging Technologies): May 30, 2022

In AI We Trust, All Others We Model

The NSCAI explained in its 2021final report that AI is a unique human invention that is not a single event or technology. Rather, AI is like what Thomas Edison said of electricity, “It is a field of fields… it holds the secrets which will reorganize the life of the world.” Today, we experience AI daily. We interact directly with digital assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Watson or the IRS has our tax returns analyzed by AI to detect fraud. However, the examples today are minor advances (the tip of an iceberg) in comparison to the transformation that is coming.

Autonomous Systems and Robotics (Formerly Robotics) May 31, 2024

Code Of Arms: Autonomous Systems and Robotics and the US Defense Industrial Base

Since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, the United States has remained the dominant global power, supported by its strong Defense Industrial Base (DIB). However, technological advancements, globalization, and changing geopolitical dynamics have challenged this position, especially in the context of modern warfare. The rise of autonomous systems and robotics (AS&R) is transforming warfare, as seen in recent conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, offering improved decision-making and reduced human risk. However, the U.S. faces growing competition from adversaries accelerating their AS&R development. The U.S. acquisition system, marked by long development times and a focus on high-cost, sophisticated systems, is hindering its ability to quickly adapt to the evolving AS&R landscape. This challenge is compounded by a weakened industrial base, which struggles to meet the fast-paced demands for modern military technology. Based on a comprehensive five-month study, the paper recommends a policy overhaul to boost AS&R development within the DIB. Key proposals include creating a global regulatory framework to encourage innovation and interoperability, modernizing the Defense Production Act to enhance AS&R capabilities, and strengthening strategic alliances and trade policies to maintain U.S. leadership.

Biotechnology May 31, 2024

Biotech Diplomacy: Strengthening U.S. National Security and International Partnerships with Brazil and Argentina through Health, Food, and Economic Innovation

As we reach the mid-2020s, the United States navigates a period of strategic competition characterized by rapid technological advancement that presents extraordinary opportunities and formidable new threats. Simultaneously, U.S. adversaries seek to capitalize on these technological shifts to support their populations while undermining the rules-based international order. In this context, the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are racing for dominance in these emerging technological areas. The biotechnology (biotech) industry represents one of the most important arenas for this great power competition, pitting autocracy against democracy. Biotech can empower democracies by fostering innovations in healthcare and agriculture, saving millions of lives while transforming the global economy. By promoting accessibility to biotech, the U.S. government can position more vulnerable populations to benefit from this emerging technology and strengthen U.S. influence by building new partnerships with developing countries.

Biotechnology: March 30, 2025

Biotechnology

A comprehensive US National Security Strategy must recognize the underlying drivers of instability and conflict and fully leverage the US biotechnology industry in applying innovative solutions. As a pillar of national security, a strong, innovative and growing economy is an enduring national interest. The biotechnology industry’s impact on the national economy is significant and growing; in 2014 it contributed 2.2% of GDP with revenues predicted to increase 29% by 2019. Investment in biotechnology will drive innovation and shape the future workforce while improving our health and controlling the fastest growing US liability – rising healthcare costs. As the world population increases, bio-agriculture is already helping with food and water insecurity. The United States can harness the full potential of biofuels and biomaterials to end fossil fuel reliance and make America the world’s leader of renewable fuels. Lastly, innovative biotechnical solutions will improve our military and protect our population from harm. With proper resourcing and regulation, the biotechnology sector will be a vital component in our National Security Strategy.

Biotechnology: May 30, 2023

Biotechnology: How the United States Can Mitigate Risks and Increase Opportunities for the Next Industrial Revolution

Like the previous industrial revolutions in chemistry and engineering, the era of biotechnology is swiftly altering human progress and the global landscape. The biotech industry is rapidly changing how humans create food, acquire resources, and approach healthcare – it has the potential to impact every facet of human life. Biotechnology provides tools through which humanity can effectively tackle the adverse consequences of human development, encompassing environmental degradation, climate change, and the inequitable distribution of food supplies. Biotechnology is also presenting society with new challenges, compelling people to confront ethical dilemmas, security threats, and divisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of this rapidly expanding industry.

Biotechnology: May 30, 2022

Securing the Strategic Advantage in Biotechnology

The United States (U.S.) is the world leader in biotechnology (biotech) and innovation. Biotech availability has increased competition in the global market, threatening America's dominance in the industry. Biotechnology is simply defined as the "application of biology for useful purposes." It is not a defined list of products or industries but a set of "enabling technologies" that are industrialized and used to replace chemical compounds. The biotech industry is one of the world's fastest-growing, lucrative, and expansive global markets, introducing new scientific methods and bio-products at an unprecedented pace. Research-intensive biotech corporations have effectively redefined modern medicine, enhancing health care and developing techniques to increase human performance at the molecular level. Industry revenues exceed the global semiconductor market and contribute more than seven percent of America's gross domestic product (GDP). Advancements in bioengineering and manufacturing led to increased agricultural, pharmaceutical, and petrochemical productivity within the U.S. This report provides an overview of the biotech industry, its application to the defense industrial base, global competition, and its impact on U.S. policy and strategy to protect national security while maintaining the leading edge in the field.

C4ISR May 31, 2024

Government and Industry Perspectives on Accelerating the Development of Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control

The Department of Defense (DoD) aims to reform command and control (C2) across all domains through the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) campaign, which requires overcoming political, economic, social, and technological challenges. Despite progress, CJADC2 efforts are hindered by decentralized leadership, restrictive security policies, incompatible legal authorities, and barriers in the defense industry. The study identifies seven key obstacles, including differences in doctrine, outdated security policies, and misaligned industry incentives. To address these issues, the report recommends five actions: -Accelerate the creation of a data enterprise to improve connectivity and information-sharing. 1. Apply portfolio management to streamline CJADC2 capabilities. 2. Establish a central program office to improve oversight and coordination. 3. Reform information management and security policies to enable better information sharing. 4. Integrate enabling technologies like AI to enhance decision-making. While these recommendations carry risks, particularly in coordinating between the Executive and Legislative branches, they are critical to building a strong technical foundation, centralized management, and policies for effective CJADC2 implementation.

C4ISR: May 30, 2022

A Review of the C4ISR Industry Efforts to Implement the Concept for Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2)

After the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) release, the Joint Staff endeavored to modernize and enhance the U.S. global integrated defense posture and joint capabilities and concepts. The NDS recognized the emerging Great Power Competition (GPC) and refocused the Department of Defense’s (DoD) priorities. The Combatant Commands (CCMD), who report directly to the Secretary of Defense (SecDef), maintain theater-specific defense partnerships and force postures to respond to threats in their areas of responsibility. However, the strategic environment described in the NDS demanded transregional approaches and joint, All-Domain capabilities. Over the last four years, the resultant modernization efforts within the Services and the Joint Staff’s concept development for warfighting concepts to support the CCMDs intersected. The Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) concept emerged as the framework to connect the people, systems, and warfighting concepts.

C4ISR: May 30, 2023

A View of the C4ISR Industry in the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) Environment

The 2022 National Security Strategy (NSS) illuminates China’s economic rise and newfound global influence, underpinning the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ambitions of challenging the free and open international rules-based system. After decades of studying the United States, the CCP has undergone a sustained effort to bolster its military to disrupt the U.S. ability to project power. Simultaneously, the CCP is pursuing a concept called “informatized” war to replicate the U.S. approach to network warfare. Both nations rely on their defense industries to outpace their adversaries in this pivotal aspect of great power competition.

Cyber (formerly Information and Communications Technology) March 30, 2025

Information and Communications Technology

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry is evolving at a rapid pace while serving as a catalyst for digital entrepreneurship in a new data-driven world interconnected via the internet and cyberspace. ICT supports and enables the day-to-day operation of modern societies, while providing newfound opportunities for economic growth through digital trade. In order to maintain the ICT industry’s steep growth trajectory, policymakers must focus on three areas: (1) cybersecurity to protect increasingly vulnerable critical infrastructure; (2) privacy to protect citizens’ rights in an age of data collection and exchange; and (3) the growing shortfall of technology workers needed to maintain innovation leadership.