Tech is National Security

The landscape of national security is being fundamentally reshaped by technology, moving beyond traditional state-driven innovation. Anne Neuberger, now a General Partner and Head of Global Affairs at Andreessen Horowitz, highlights this shift from her government roles at the NSA and White House. She emphasizes that technology is now a central pillar of geopolitical influence and industrial capacity.

Historically, the Cold War saw technology as a closed, state-controlled enterprise. The 2000s shifted to a model of commercially driven, borderless tech expansion, with American innovation setting global standards. Today, however, the US China technology competition adds geopolitical complexity, fragmenting technology's spread and demanding a focus on digital sovereignty, supply chain resilience, and infrastructure trustworthiness.

A New Technological Mandate

Allies are no longer content with simply purchasing American technology. They want to build collaboratively, seeking joint ventures and shared capabilities. This strategic imperative requires the US to ensure a common technological foundation with its partners.

This collaborative approach is crucial for allies facing significant threats, enabling them to integrate and leverage American innovation tailored to their domestic needs.

Scaling the global adoption of AI and new technologies is paramount.

The rise of open-source AI models, including those from China, necessitates US engagement to ensure its own AI infrastructure and applications gain broad adoption.

Innovative companies in defense, aerospace, and cybersecurity require a global footprint to thrive amidst complex geopolitical and regulatory environments. As Neuberger notes, allies are no longer interested in a simple buyer-seller relationship; they want to build with us. This sentiment was reinforced during a recent visit to Japan, exploring partnerships in maritime autonomy, AI, and cybersecurity.

The path forward involves working with allies to secure a safe and prosperous future through shared technological development. It's time to build, together.