Tech is National Security

Allies want to co-develop technology, not just buy it, marking a strategic shift in global tech security and collaboration.

Jun 4 at 2:02 PM6 min read

Abstract representation of interconnected global technology networks and security shields. — Technology is now a core component of national security and international relations.· a16z Blog

Visual TL;DR. Tech is National Security leads to Historical Tech Models. Historical Tech Models leads to US-China Tech Competition. US-China Tech Competition leads to Digital Sovereignty Focus. US-China Tech Competition leads to Allies Want Co-Development. Allies Want Co-Development leads to Strategic Shift. Digital Sovereignty Focus leads to Strategic Shift. Strategic Shift leads to New Tech Mandate.

Tech is National Security: technology is now a central pillar of geopolitical influence
Historical Tech Models: Cold War: state-controlled; 2000s: commercially driven, borderless
US-China Tech Competition: adds geopolitical complexity, fragmenting technology's spread
Digital Sovereignty Focus: demanding a focus on digital sovereignty and supply chain resilience
Allies Want Co-Development: allies want to build collaboratively, seeking joint ventures
Strategic Shift: marking a strategic shift in global tech security and collaboration
New Tech Mandate: a new technological mandate for global collaboration

Visual TL;DRQuickExplainDeeper

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.

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#Artificial Intelligence #National Security #Geopolitics #US Foreign Policy #Technology Transfer #Cybersecurity