QUAD’s Plan on Critical and Emerging Technologies

The Quad countries emphasised on the need to support universal values which would be used to develop the critical and emerging technology which would yield tangible benefits to the society at large along with developing multi-stakeholders’ approach which would aim at adaptability, dynamics and align with the universal values like the freedom of expression, privacy, autonomy, agency and dignity of individuals. Further, the countries opined that the design, development, governance and the use of technology should be through a process of equitability and inclusivity that neither involves nor results in any unfair discriminatory action.[1] They also mentioned about the need to respect technology and not misuse or abuse technology for malicious activities like authoritarian surveillance and oppression, for terrorist purposes or even disseminate disinformation. The fact that authoritarian surveillance and oppression was mentioned, it was a direct hit at China’s way of keeping an eye on its citizens and oppressing them through the misuse of technology.

Quad countries aimed to work on building an ecosystem which would comprise of trust, integrity and resilience to foster innovation and work with openness and interoperability which would help in collaborating and welcoming newer innovations and experiments through a diversity of gender, race and ethnicity.[2] Since, they are aiming for a technological ecosystem, the countries aim to work on technology supplies, vendors, distributors to produce and maintain secure systems and work on transparency and accountability in their practices.[3] Safety and security are vital for any technological ecosystem and are vital for the technological development process. There is a chance that this ecosystem could face illicit transfer or theft of technology which would shake the foundation of this ecosystem and could have a greater impact of the global technological development.

Technological ecosystem needs a resilient, diverse yet secure supply chain through hardware, software and various services and this would also be based on shared interests. The Quad countries need to closely cooperate with one another in the realm of the supply chains and further cooperate with their allies and partners so as to share and enhance their security and prosperity and further, strengthen their capacity to response to disaster management risk analyses and emergencies. The supply chain would open the ned to work on healthy competition which along with several international collaborations would help in advancing science and technology. This would also open up affair and open market space where innovation and inclusive prosperity would be cornerstones in this domain. These market spaces need to look after the state incentives and also work on technical solutions so as to succeed in the technological market economy. There is a need to motivate the start-ups which would work on innovation, resilience and sustainability. Industry-led consensus would be needed to affirm the importance of the industry and work to develop interoperability, compatibility and inclusiveness.[4]

They also spoke about the need to reduce the barriers to data and knowledge sharing for research projects and greater innovation along with protecting the research security. The researchers must facilitate and exchange among themselves and would be highly skilled personnel in order to enhance science and technology and work on joint projects, joint capacity building wherever possible which would align with the foundational scientific principles. They would also work on common values, promote workforce diversity and education.[5]

Reasons as to why this Quad Principles on Technology Design, Development, Governance, and Use was established?

The world is moving towards a more scientific and technologically way and with digitalisation in every sector, this plan makes absolute sense. Digital interconnectivity would create a digital network of networks among all the countries in all the domains like economic, political. Social, military, education and health.

Economically if one sees the ned to strengthen the supply chain and the issues that the world faced since last year due to the pandemic, it only suggests that technologically safe and secure supply chains help everyone get equal access to their share which makes the entire line of supply chain fair and free and also easier interoperability. Markets getting scientifically and technologically ahead would mean that more open access, fair competition, greater product exchange and innovation which would make the buyers more interested in the newer technology especially in the home appliances which would make life easier especially in the fast-moving world that we are in.

Technological design would help in architecture in a big way as future building can be made faster with more cost effectiveness and that would help in the faster development and completion of Government projects which would not only be cost effective but also get the work done in lesser labour and work on establishing a centre for highly skilled labour.

Further, with regard to technological design, development and use, the military can greatly benefit from this as arms and ammunitions can take a new shape altogether. The aircrafts can be built with more sophistication and with the help in research and technology metals used to make the aircrafts can be lights so that the entire aircraft is a master piece on its own. Also, there would be the need to train the pilots to fly these technologically better-quality aircrafts which would help them cover long distance places in a shorter period, with fuel efficiency and greater safeguards. With regard to the artificial intelligence, it can used with the technological set of critical aspects of weaponry, cyber warrior, cyber threats, drones and under water nuclear submarines. With technology in place, all these can be well researched upon and create a new hub collaborating with artificial intelligence, internet of things, technological design, development and use. Military cryptography and equipment can further be worked upon along with disabling drones’ technology from a far distance. This would not only help in our national interest but also secure the Quad countries in case of any unwanted attack.

Socially, technology would help develop vaccines and medicines for the future along with work on greater medical advantages for the human civilisations. Technology would also help build greater scholars and researchers in domains which are much needed in science and technology and also help motivate the younger generations to work innovate, experiment and create ideas for start-ups at very young ages. Also, sustainable development is needed in the realm of disaster management and also the need to have risk assistance and management in case of disasters and emergencies which should be developed through this plan. Thereby, it can be said that this initiate to establish the ‘Quad Principles on Technology Design, Development, Governance and Use’ is truly beneficial and effective not only for the Quad countries but other countries globally.

Notes

[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japanese). 2021. “Quad Principles on Technology Design,

Development, Governance, and Use”, September 24, 2021. https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100238188.pdf accessed 10 October 2021.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

Pic Courtesy-Michal Czyz at unsplash.com

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)