Dr. Watson noted that forecasting the world’s technological is not an easy exercise. There is a substantive gap between the world’s technological future and emerging security trends. The extant literature reflects this gap. Dr. Watson noted that technological transformations interweave with traditional and non-traditional security issues and concerns generating relationships characterized by interdependence, fusion, competition and spill-over. The Asia-Pacific region is the context in which Dr. Watson makes her case. The region is extremely diverse with a range of security issues and challenges. Yet it is also a major hub for technological developments that could be significant game changers in the international political and economic arenas. These states include China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and India.
Dr. Heickero in his presentation noted that the exponential expansion of information and communication technology or ICT during the last few decades has changed the way we interact, communicate and distribute information between people and organizations, regionally and globally. An increased connectivity and accessibility to the “Net” as well as to services and applications will continue in a faster pace over time. By 2030, the information and communication technology sector is predicted to evolve even faster than today. New technologies are foreseen. Some disruptive technologies include quantum computers, quantum ciphering, artificial intelligence (AI), ambiguity networks, telematics and autonomous and intelligent machines and sensors. One major driving force is the convergence between sectors and technologies exemplified by the fusion of biotech and IT technology. These technological developments lead off course to new challenges regarding cyber security: how to protect critical information and systems from antagonists. A cyber conflict could rapidly diffuse across borders and lead to consequences on security policy. India and other developing Asian nations are no exception according Dr. Heickero are already investing heavily in ICT.
Wing Commander Ajey Lele noted that substantial progress has been made by states like Japan, China and India in the space arena during the last couple of years. In relative terms, most of the other Asian states are still at the level of infancy when it comes to investments in space technologies. A few states within the region also have missile ambitions and are found using space technology as a front-end to develop and demonstrate their missile capabilities. However, it still remains more of an exclusivist technology and due to its dual use capabilities the possessor of this technology views it as a symbol of national power. Wg. Cdr Lele argues that the revival of the moon programme by a few states within the region, in the post Cold War era, goes beyond symbolism and is also about the race to grab the natural resources on the moon. Such ambitious missions by these states imply that they intend to rapidly change the unipolar world with multiple power centres and would use space technology as one of the components to do so.
Mr. Fuente in his presentation noted that there is increased international attention to green house gas emissions, climate change and geopolitical energy security has placed renewable energy technologies at the center of mainstream public media as well as national and international policy discourse. As home to two of the globe’s most populous countries and rapidly growing economies, Asia consumes more total energy than the Americas or Europe. In parallel with increasing energy consumption, Asian countries are quickly moving to become global leaders in clean technology manufacturing and renewable power generation. This is reflected in the aggressive renewable energy targets and policies adopted by India and China as well as strong private investment in clean technology across Asia. Across Asia, Mr. Fuente noted there is an upsurge in activity in developing new renewable energy technologies, products, and services to meet the energy needs of the poor. Access to electricity is however very uneven across Asia. Small scale projects have short gestation periods in contrast to large scale energy projects.
Q&A and Comments
Questions:
Can autonomous systems become a threat?
Is space weaponization inevitable?
What is the future relationship between nanotechnology and IT?
Are there only civilian applications in the realm of space in the future?
What is the scope of future energy projects? Will small scale projects dominate as opposed to large energy projects?
Answers:
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Nanotechnologies are important and will improve capacity to replace limbs of soldiers wounded in war. Innovative developments could happen within the civilian domain and migrate to the military.
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Small scale energy investments require ground level involvement. Large scale energy projects require political, legal and bureaucratic clearances. Both are beneficial and therefore both are necessary.
Prepared by Kartik Bommakanti, Research Assistant at the IDSA
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