Emerging Tech Nat Sec

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

What is Artificial Intelligence and how is it changing our understanding of national security? What’s the difference between unmanned and autonomous weapon systems? How can we effectively wage cyberwars? How will quantum computing change the speed and encryption of information? What’s the purpose and future of the US Space Force? How does Artificial Intelligence impact disinformation and data analytics? What are the perils and the promise of these technologies, and how will these emerging technologies on their own or collectively change the conduct of wars? How do ethics figure into these emerging technologies? These questions are at the heart of today’s global politics, economics, and conflicts. Welcome to Perils and Promise of Emerging Technologies and National Security. This course provides a non-technical conceptual, ethical and policy foundation to study the exclusive and collective impact on national security of Artificial Intelligence, Cyber defensive and offensive operations, Space security issues, Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems, Quantum Technology, Biotechnology and associated technologies. We will discuss books, articles and documentaries, and engage diverse guest speakers. We'll start with exploring the basics of emerging technologies (AI, Cyber, Space, Quantum, etc.). Second, we will dig deeper into the dynamics of each technology and its impact on national security and ethics. Third, we will study technological fusion and national security and finally, we will end the class by using our understanding of these technologies by reading and discussing the novel 2034: A Novel of the Next World War.