Key Takeaways:
- National security in the U.S. is closely linked to technology, with various technological developments critical to the country’s national security standing and strategy.
- The U.S. government relies on a complex set of regulatory tools to protect critical technologies, including export controls, licensing-based regimes, and case-by-case reviews of business decisions.
- A comprehensive baseline federal privacy law could help address some of the national security concerns related to technology, including data privacy and protection.
- The EU’s data broker market and its risks are an important consideration for U.S. national security, and transatlantic partners should work together to address these shared challenges.
- Successful regulatory regimes or corporate safeguards for monitoring, training, and efforts to push through regulatory developments will be crucial for navigating the complex landscape of technology and national security.
Introduction to National Security and Technology
National security in the U.S. is inextricably linked to technology. Various technological developments have been critical to the country’s national security standing and strategy, and these dynamics are demonstrated today as leading conversations around artificial intelligence (AI) become driven by questions around national security. The history of the intersection of technology and national security is documented in the book "Navigating Technology and National Security," which examines key programs at this intersection, provides insights into how these systems work, and explores their future means for innovation and national security in a rapidly changing world.
The Evolution of Debates Around Technology and National Security
Debates around the intersection of technology and national security have evolved over time, with a growing recognition of the need for governance and regulation of technology to address national security concerns. The U.S. government has established various regulatory tools, including export controls, licensing-based regimes, and case-by-case reviews of business decisions, to protect critical technologies. However, these regulatory tools are not always well-suited to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies, and there is a need for a more comprehensive approach to tech governance.
The Regulatory Toolkit for National Security
The regulatory toolkit for national security is complex and multifaceted, with various programs and regulations in place to govern the development and use of critical technologies. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) is one example of a regulatory program that reviews investments in U.S. companies for national security risks. The data broker program is another example, which requires cloud companies to set up monitoring regimes to track who is using their systems and for what purposes. However, the regulatory toolkit is not without its challenges, including the need for transparency and accountability, and the potential for unintended consequences.
The Importance of Privacy and Data Protection
Privacy and data protection are critical components of national security, and a comprehensive baseline federal privacy law could help address some of the national security concerns related to technology. The U.S. government has a responsibility to protect the privacy and security of its citizens, and a federal privacy law could provide a framework for doing so. The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an example of a comprehensive privacy law that has been implemented in another region, and the U.S. could learn from this example.
Transatlantic Cooperation on Technology and National Security
The EU’s data broker market and its risks are an important consideration for U.S. national security, and transatlantic partners should work together to address these shared challenges. The U.S. and EU have a shared interest in protecting their citizens’ privacy and security, and cooperation on issues related to technology and national security could help to achieve this goal. The U.S. and EU could work together to develop common standards and regulations for the development and use of critical technologies, and could share best practices and expertise to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, the intersection of technology and national security is a complex and rapidly evolving field, with various challenges and opportunities for governance and regulation. The U.S. government has established various regulatory tools to protect critical technologies, but there is a need for a more comprehensive approach to tech governance. A comprehensive baseline federal privacy law could help address some of the national security concerns related to technology, and transatlantic cooperation could help to address shared challenges. Successful regulatory regimes or corporate safeguards for monitoring, training, and efforts to push through regulatory developments will be crucial for navigating the complex landscape of technology and national security.