At TruCon 2024, Dr. Colin Kahl, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Truman National Security Project board member, engaged in a fireside chat with Dr. Katherine Pratt, a Truman Defense Council member since 2018. The conversation highlighted Truman's ongoing commitment to addressing emerging technologies in the national security arena, focusing on key challenges and opportunities.

“Whether it’s a Biden 2.0 or a Trump 2.0, I will predict that something that we will consider to be artificial general intelligence emerges on the next president’s watch.”

—Dr. Colin Kahl

Key Themes Discussed:

1. Emerging Technologies in National Security: Dr. Kahl highlighted the significance of emerging technologies in shaping the contemporary national security landscapes. He cited events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine as catalysts for recognizing the importance of technology, particularly in countering authoritarian regimes, and emphasized the critical role of cybersecurity and space technologies. Dr. Kahl addressed the vulnerabilities of American military operations that heavily depend on these technologies, citing their reliance on interconnected and unsecured network infrastructure.
2. Implications of General-Purpose Technologies: Identifying artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and biotechnology as general-purpose technologies with profound national security implications, Dr. Kahl emphasized the pressing need for responsible management, particularly in AI applications. He outlined key AI models, such as generative AI, predictive analytic models, and classification models, and stressed the importance of human oversight to ensure accountability and ethical use.
3. Bridging the Gap Between Technologists and Policymakers: Dr. Kahl underscored the importance of bridging the gap between technologists and policymakers to effectively navigate the complexities of emerging technologies. He highlighted the significant knowledge gap and cultural differences between these groups, and the need for collaboration and dialogue between them.
4. The Convergence of Technology and National Security: As technology rapidly evolves, Dr. Kahl recognized that policymakers face challenges in staying up to date, noting that the convergence of technology and national security is accelerating. Dr. Kahl concluded by underscoring the importance of proactive engagement and strategic foresight in navigating the evolving landscape of emerging technologies.

The fireside chat with Dr. Kahl provided valuable insights into the intersection of emerging technologies and national security, as he emphasized the importance of proactive collaboration between technologists and policymakers and responsible management of technology to safeguard national security interests.

Written by Alexandria Johnson and Chris Aboukhaled