The Policy Playbook: Building a Systems-Oriented Approach to Technology and National Security Policy
May 5, 2024
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This podcast explores tensions and tradeoffs in technology and national security goals, policy levers for innovation and impeding adversaries, US government economic controls, driving technological innovation with policy instruments, impact of trade policy on technology firms, and promoting education for civic engagement and innovation.
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Quick takeaways
Driving technological innovation is crucial for maintaining a leading position in technology by incentivizing innovators and influencing regulations.
Efforts to hinder adversaries' progress are vital during great power competition through tools like export controls and investment screenings.
Ensuring safe deployment of technology involves implementing regulations and ethical standards aligned with democratic values and AI safety principles.
Deep dives
Drivers of Technological Innovation in National Security Policy
Driving technological innovation is crucial for maintaining a leading position in technology. It involves incentivizing innovators, supporting public sector-driven research, and influencing regulations such as tax credits for semiconductor manufacturing. The government's engagement in areas like infrastructure, education, and trade can significantly impact the trajectory of technological advancements.
Impeding Adversary's Progress Through Policy Measures
Efforts to hinder adversaries' progress are vital during periods of great power competition. Tools like export controls, sanctions, and investment screenings are used to limit access to critical technologies. By impeding competitors, nations can sustain or expand their lead in strategic technology sectors, although challenges such as multilateral coordination and evolving technology can impact the effectiveness of these measures.
Promoting Safe and Ethical Technological Deployment
Ensuring the safe and values-driven deployment of technology entails implementing regulations, safety frameworks, and ethical standards. Policymakers aim to align technological developments with democratic values, transparency, privacy, and accuracy. Discussions on AI safety principles highlight the importance of explainability, bias reduction, and privacy protection in deploying these technologies.
Tensions Among Strategic Goals in Technology and National Security Policy
Strategic technology and national security goals often present tensions that policymakers must navigate. Balancing innovation, impeding adversaries, and ensuring safe deployment necessitates trade-offs. Decisions made in pursuit of one goal may inadvertently hinder progress in another, requiring careful strategic planning and continuous monitoring.
Government Levers of Power in Technology and National Security Policy
Government policymakers utilize various levers of power to drive technology and national security strategies. These include competition policy, economic controls, funding and investment, immigration policy, infrastructure initiatives, procurement decisions, regulations, taxes, and workforce development. Each of these levers plays a crucial role in shaping the policy landscape and achieving strategic goals.
This report by the Center for Security and Emerging Technology first analyzes the tensions and tradeoffs between three strategic technology and national security goals: driving technological innovation, impeding adversaries’ progress, and promoting safe deployment. It then identifies different direct and enabling policy levers, assessing each based on the tradeoffs they make.
While this document is designed for US policymakers, most of its findings are broadly applicable.