Fostering Public-Private Collaboration in Emerging Technologies for National Security: A Call to Action
The race for technological supremacy is heating up, with developments in quantum computing, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence (AI) predominantly happening in the private sector. The United States and its allies are facing stiff competition from China, which is leveraging a strategy of military-civil fusion to boost its military and defense capabilities.
According to discussions at events held by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, investors are struggling to compete with the Chinese capital being poured into emerging dual-use start-ups in critical technology sectors. To counter this threat, the US government has taken steps such as creating the Trusted Capital Digital Marketplace (TCDM) to establish ‘trusted sources of funding’ for small and medium-sized businesses in defense-critical capabilities.
Under the AUKUS partnership, the US, Australia, and Britain are prioritizing collaboration with industry to advance capabilities. The US has also reduced barriers for start-ups and SMEs entering the defense market, showing a commitment to fostering innovation in emerging technologies.
To stay ahead in critical technologies, the US and its allies must identify and support tech start-ups relevant to national security, ensuring they remain free from adversarial capital. Building on existing hubs of public-private innovation and expanding global innovation partnerships will be crucial in achieving this goal.
Australia, with its significant retirement savings pool, must incentivize investment in dual-use technologies to support allied national security interests. By driving discussions on the commercial opportunities and national security imperatives of such investments, Australia can outcompete China’s civil-military fusion strategy.
In conclusion, governments must collaborate with the private sector early on to align technology development with national security needs. Mobilizing the tech sector as the new defense industrial base requires bold and innovative partnerships to ensure autonomy over critical technology supply chains and uphold liberal democratic values. The conversations at events like SXSW highlight the growing recognition of the importance of collaboration for shared national security interests.
