Emerging technologies in politics and on the battlefield
2023-2024
Emerging technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution—e.g., autonomy, artificial intelligence, quantum, space, biotechnology, hypersonics, and additive manufacturing—are changing how political and military actors think about security and defence. Yet, their impact on military capabilities remains poorly understood. This project therefore looks at emerging technologies as a phenomenon along three axes. First, it examines emerging technologies in the context of strategic competition and problematizes technology hype. Second, recognizing the growing role of emerging technologies in defence cooperation among allies, it revisits NATO alliance cohesion and burden sharing given the intersection between the deteriorating security environment and the technosphere. And third, it looks at how emerging technologies can transform military innovation. Overall, this project aims to produce policy-oriented research intended for researchers in international security, policy makers, and arms control practitioners.
Selected publications