Civilian-led advancements will spur improved dual-use technologies, as innovation in civilian sectors often drives technological progress.
Civilian-First Approach to Dual-Use Technology: A Game-Changer for Innovation and National Security
In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the traditional model of technological innovation is being challenged. A shift towards a civilian-first approach to dual-use technology is gaining traction, and this change could revolutionize the way we approach innovation and ensure national security.
This approach prioritizes the development and deployment of technologies primarily for civilian applications while recognizing their potential military uses. This strategy offers numerous benefits, including enhanced innovation and economic growth, strategic autonomy and security, ethical and responsible development, and cross-sector collaboration.
Enhanced Innovation and Economic Growth
Civilian markets are often larger and more diverse, providing stronger commercial incentives and funding for early-stage development of dual-use technologies, such as AI, quantum computing, and advanced materials. For instance, the development of satellite navigation systems, originally designed for civilian transport and logistics, has also supported military operations and positioning.
Strategic Autonomy and Security
Developing dual-use technology with civilian-first intent helps regions like the EU reduce dependence on foreign powers and strengthen their technological sovereignty, improving resilience against geopolitical risks. The full potential of GPS was not realized until 2000 when Selective Availability was deactivated, making it 10 times more accurate for civilian users.
Ethical and Responsible Development
A civilian-first perspective encourages incorporating safety, transparency, and ethical considerations into the design and deployment of dual-use technologies, which is vital given their potential military applications and security risks. This is particularly important in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, where the same technologies improve defense capabilities but also require ethical frameworks for dual-use risk management.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
It promotes integrated governance structures involving military, civilian authorities, and private sectors to design infrastructure and technology systems supporting both peace-time economic activities and crisis preparedness. Smart logistics and infrastructure, such as automated, energy-efficient warehouses and container terminals, serve civilian commerce but also enhance military logistics and resilience during crises by being designed as dual-use infrastructures.
This approach stimulates broader R&D investment and accelerates commercialization, leading to prototypes and technologies that can be adapted for both civilian and military needs. It breaks down silos between military and civilian sectors, fostering collaboration that generates synergies unattainable in isolated frameworks, thus accelerating innovation cycles and operational resilience.
Moreover, it encourages global cooperation and standard-setting for safe dual-use tech proliferation, shaping policies that balance innovation, security, and ethics, critical in areas like weapons nonproliferation and emerging technology governance.
In conclusion, a civilian-first approach to dual-use technology creates a robust ecosystem where technological advances benefit society broadly while ensuring that security imperatives are met through responsible innovation and integrated governance. This model supports sustainable economic growth, strategic independence, and ethically informed deployment of technologies that serve multiple domains.
The European Commission is proposing to fund dual-use technologies through programs like Horizon Europe. By adopting this approach, Europe could attract top innovators from across the Atlantic by creating an environment aligned with their core values. The most promising dual-use breakthroughs come from tackling fundamental technical challenges rather than specific operational functions. The transformative dual-use technologies of tomorrow are closer than we think - if we focus on civilian use cases today.
Technology development prioritized for civilian applications offers numerous benefits, such as enhancing innovation and economic growth by creating stronger commercial incentives and funding for early-stage technology advancements.
Moreover, a civilian-first approach to dual-use technology encourages cross-sector collaboration, breaking down silos between military and civilian sectors and fostering innovation cycles and operational resilience through integrated governance structures involving various stakeholders.
