Disruptive Technologies Challenging National Security
Lets explore what disruptive technologies are and how they are reshaping national security
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What makes a technology 'disruptive'?
Disruptive technologies fundamentally transform traditional business models by reshaping industries. They have the potential to create new markets and value networks while simultaneously disrupting existing ones. Some well-known recent technologies in this category include the Internet, quantum computing, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Disruptive technologies initially underperform compared to existing products but offer an alternative value. Over time, they improve and often surpass established solutions due to shifts in consumer needs, market popularity, or business models.
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This infographic helps determine if a product or service is disruptive
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Discover what makes an innovation disruptive and see some groundbreaking examples from recent history in this video!
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What is Disruptive Innovation?
YouTube: Christensen Institute, n.d.
Infographic source: Christensen Institute, n.d.
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What challenges do disruptive technologies pose to United States national security?
Disruptive technologies present significant risks to U.S. national security due to their increasing accessibility, reduced cost, and growing complexity.​
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Quantum computing, a long-theorized technological advancement, is now approaching reality and, with it, risks to current encryption algorithms.
Biotechnology offers huge potential for economic growth and military advancements, but it also carries considerable risks, such as human enhancement and the development of new biological and chemical warfare agents.
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Artificial intelligence enhances national security by improving intelligence analysis and operational efficiency, but it also introduces risks like cyber threats, autonomous weapon proliferation, adversarial AI manipulation, data privacy concerns, and potential misuse by state and non-state actors for disinformation and cyber warfare.
These are just some examples of current disruptive technologies that are reshaping industries, economies, and national security. The dual-use nature presents risks of proliferation, verification, regulation, and potential misuse by state and non-state actors. Most of these involve geopolitical tensions driven by international competition, perceived arms races, intellectual property theft, and manufacturing dependencies that create supply chain vulnerabilities and strategic risks.
As part of its national security strategy, the United States created the Disruptive Technology Strike Force to protect advanced technologies from illegal acquisition by foreign adversaries. A joint venture between the Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce, the task force works with agencies like the FBI and HSI to enforce export laws, disrupt illicit tech transfers, and fortify supply chains. The task force targets sectors like AI, quantum computing, and biosciences, leveraging real-time intelligence and data analytics to identify adversarial espionage, prevent intellectual property theft, and counter emerging national security threats. Operating in 12 U.S. cities, this initiative is essential in safeguarding national security and technological leadership.
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Disruptive Technology Strike Force Year One conference
YouTube: U.S. Department of Justice
Now, let's take a closer look at some of these disruptive technologies.
References
Schwab, K. (2017). The fourth industrial revolution. World Economic Forum.
Bower, J. L., & Christensen, C. M. (1995). Disruptive technologies: Catching the wave. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/1995/01/disruptive-technologies-catching-the-wave
Christensen Institute. (n.d.). Infographic: Is it really disruptive? Christensen Institute. https://www.christenseninstitute.org/theory/disruptive-innovation/
Gregory, A. (2023). Congressional testimony: Advanced technology: Examining threats to national security. Center for Strategic & International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/advanced-technology-examining-threats-national-security
Petit, Z. (2024). The strategic imperative of biotechnology: Implications for U.S. national security. Center for Strategic & International Studies. https://www.csis.org/blogs/strategic-technologies-blog/strategic-imperative-biotechnology-implications-us-national#:~:text=While%20it%20presents%20immense%20potential,biological%20and%20chemical%20warfare%20agents
The White House. (2024). Memorandum on advancing the United States’ leadership in artificial intelligence; Harnessing artificial intelligence to fulfill national security objectives; and fostering the safety, security, and trustworthiness of artificial intelligence. https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/10/24/memorandum-on-advancing-the-united-states-leadership-in-artificial-intelligence-harnessing-artificial-intelligence-to-fulfill-national-security-objectives-and-fostering-the-safety-security/
United States Department of Justice. (2023). Justice and Commerce Departments announce creation of Disruptive Technology Strike Force. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-and-commerce-departments-announce-creation-disruptive-technology-strike-force
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