Securing the Future: Navigating the Intersection of Technology and National Security in Honor of Ash Carter
In a significant gathering aimed at addressing the complex challenges at the intersection of technology and national security, experts and policymakers convened to honor the legacy of Ash Carter, a stalwart in preventive defense strategy. Organized by Ylli Bajraktari, Ylber Bajraktari, Eric Schmidt, and the Special Competitive Studies Project team, this second annual event underscored the escalating need for robust measures against emerging threats in biotechnology.
Tributes were paid to the Carter family, acknowledging their ongoing efforts to advance Ash’s contributions to national security. The focus of the discourse centered on the evolving landscape of biological threats, accentuated by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), engineering, and biology.
“Ash was intensely focused on what he could do to prevent major new threats from emerging – what he called ‘A List’ challenges.”
The intersection of AI and biotechnology presents a dual-edged sword; while promising in healthcare and environmental sustainability, it also poses significant security risks. The approval of genetic treatments for Sickle Cell Anemia in December 2023 exemplifies the transformative potential of these technologies. However, the event also cast light on the dark side of these advancements: the risk of biothreats and bioterrorism facilitated by the democratization of science.
Amid growing concerns over the potential misuse of biotechnological advances, the speaker outlined a multifaceted approach to counter the risks:
Global Collaboration: Emphasizing the need for an international consensus on the oversight of biotechnological research and development. The United States aims to lead in establishing a shared set of principles to preclude the weaponization of biology.
Executive Action: The Biden administration has actively sought to bolster the nation’s stance through several executive orders focusing on biotechnology, AI safety, and data protection.
- An Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation was signed on September 12, 2022, marking a pivotal step towards securing the American bioeconomy and reinforcing supply chains.
- The National Security Memorandum on WMD terrorism prevention and the Executive Order on AI represent comprehensive strategies to mitigate bio and cyber threats.
Innovative Safeguards: Efforts are being intensified to revamp biosecurity protocols, including a new policy for dual-use research oversight and a novel framework for gene synthesis screening.
Strengthening Biocontainment Facilities: With more than 50 BSL-4 labs worldwide, there’s a concerted effort to enhance safety and security measures against the misuse of high-consequence pathogens.
The speaker called for an aggressive pursuit of global cooperation to navigate the perils of biotechnology and AI. Ash Carter’s legacy of preventive defense serves as a beacon, urging the scientific and security communities to advance responsibly.
“Technology is unstoppable, but it is shapeable.”
As these disciplines continue to evolve, the commitment to shaping them for the greater good remains paramount. Attendees were encouraged to stay engaged with the administration’s efforts to secure a safer, more secure future in the realm of biotechnology and beyond.
For further engagement and updates from President Biden’s administration, the public is invited to opt into communications.
The White House, Washington, D.C.
