Mixed Signals and Emerging Technology with Amy Zegart
Mar 27, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Amy Zegart, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and cochair of Stanford's Emerging Technology Review, dives into America’s strategy for mastering emerging technologies like AI, biotechnology, and space. She critiques the Trump administration's communication methods during critical military operations. The conversation also highlights the need for effective policy collaboration between researchers and lawmakers to navigate the complexities of technological competition, particularly against China's influence and the evolving security landscape.
The partnership between the Hoover Institution and Stanford aims to equip policymakers with insights into the implications of emerging technologies.
Concerns regarding the Trump administration's communication methods highlight the need for secure platforms in national security discussions.
The U.S. faces challenges in maintaining its technological leadership amidst China's advancements in AI, biotechnology, and talent retention.
Deep dives
Emerging Technology and Policy Education
A partnership between the Hoover Institution and Stanford School of Engineering emphasizes the importance of educating policymakers on the implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics. This collaboration aims to enhance understanding among legislators regarding how these technologies will shape the future world, necessitating informed policy decisions. Recent discussions involving Hoover leaders and lawmakers highlight the critical need for tailored technological insights in order to tackle contemporary challenges. Key insights will help ensure that technology drives innovation while also considering potential risks in national security and economic frameworks.
Communications Security Breach
The problematic use of Signal for sensitive communications by the Trump national security team raises significant security concerns. Discussions highlighted the convenience of using such platforms but criticized their unsuitability for important national security matters, particularly during military operations. A serious breach was noted wherein private communications involving classified information leaked, underscoring the need for more secure, government-approved platforms for handling sensitive discussions. This incident signals a broader challenge in balancing quick decision-making against the imperative for robust security measures within governmental communications.
The Role of Technology in Governance
The panelists discussed the historical context in which technology has been managed within U.S. government administrations, stressing that communication blunders are not unique to any one party. Analyzing past failures, such as Nixon's tapes and Clinton's emails, reveals a recurring theme of struggling to adapt to new technologies while ensuring security and efficiency in governmental operations. It was noted that rapid decision-making needs contemporary technology, yet systemic barriers often undermine these efforts. This ongoing challenge calls for innovative solutions that integrate both security and efficiency without compromising either.
International Competition in Technology
The conversation highlighted concerns about the U.S. losing ground to China in various technological domains, including AI and biotechnology. China’s significant investment in fundamental research and development indicates an impending shift in global technological leadership, prompting anxiety among experts about U.S. competitiveness. The notion that foreign talent is increasingly choosing to remain within China rather than migrating to the U.S. exacerbates concerns about the capacity of American universities to attract the best minds. This highlights the necessity for a recalibrated approach to both education and international collaboration in the tech sphere.
Policy Implications of Emerging Technologies
The Stanford Emerging Technology Review was established to bridge the gap between technological advancements and policy formulation, ensuring that leaders in various sectors are informed of the broader implications of emerging technologies. The review focuses on key areas such as biotechnology, semiconductors, and space technology, acknowledging that these fields impact national security and economic competitiveness. Future reports are anticipated to delve deeper into how these technologies intersect and influence policies in the U.S. and globally. The aim is to create an informed dialogue among policymakers, technologists, and academics to align technological progress with societal values and needs.
Does America have a plan for winning the competition of the future—mastering artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and space, plus other material and developmental sciences? Amy Zegart, the Hoover Institution’s Morris Arnold and Nona Cox Senior Fellow and cochair of the Stanford Emerging Technology Review (SETR), explains how this one-of-a-kind partnership between the Hoover Institution and Stanford University’s School of Engineering gives policymakers the tools they need to better address the challenges facing cutting-edge industries. Also discussed: the Trump national security team’s inelegant use of a chat app while prepping for a military strike in Yemen, plus the significance (or lack thereof) of Trump’s nemeses caving in to his demands—and whether other entities (Canada, Panama, Greenland, Venezuela’s trade partners) will follow suit.
