Disruptive technologies – New technologies such as High Performance Computing, quantum information processing and synthetic biology have the potential to radically change the nature and environment of warfare in the future. The key challenge for Defence is understanding the risks and opportunities presented by the technologies and forecasting when and where the impact on defence will occur. How should Defence proactively shape our doctrine and policy to maximise the benefits whilst minimising the threat to defence?
Background
Fifty years ago, major technological developments were primarily driven by the space race and the Cold War. Today, almost all technology development, derived from current global S&T investment, is driven by the consumer market. Advanced technology development, once the realm of government laboratories, is now carried out to a large extent in the civil and commercial sectors. As technology continues to be driven by market needs, exploitation of technology to meet defence and security needs will require an increasing focus and understanding of emerging technologies and their opportunities and impacts on the future of Defence and Security. As well as increased understanding of the evolving physical and social environments in which Defence operates.
Next steps
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