We are assessing the potential for new science diplomacy initiatives in the following fields:
Neurotechnology
Main opportunity
Neuro augmentation encompasses a wide range of technologies designed to interface with the nervous system to either monitor or influence brain activity. It has the potential to radically alter the human experience and redefine our understanding of who we are as a species.
Main challenge
If any of these innovations are to achieve their full potential for improving human well-being and establishing more inclusive societies, questions of how, why and for whom they are deployed must be addressed. This comes with challenges around access, equity, privacy and human rights, particularly as market/funding gaps are increasingly addressed by a few private players which tend to conduct the development of applications behind closed doors.
Scientific perspective in the GESDA Radar
Deep dives in the GESDA Radar: here and here
Ecosystems Augmentation
Main opportunity
Eco-augmentation is a new and fast-moving interdisciplinary field – including synthetic biology, evolutionary biology, genetic engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) -that allows for deliberate and strategic interactions with nature that are intended to create more resilient, robust and sustainable ecological systems. This includes activities that increase ecosystems’ diversity and functions.
Main challenge
Despite unprecedented scientific capability, current
responses to the ecosystem’s degradation are siloed, too slow and essentially reactive (vs. anticipatory). The development and implementation of innovations at scale requires complex science diplomacy/policy, economic and societal engagement to proactively address the significant philosophical and ethical challenges – conditions which are not currently in place.
Main opportunity
The convergence of AI and different science domains will lead to an exponential acceleration in technological breakthroughs, turbocharging both opportunities and threats. Advances in cutting-edge science already have critical implications for the future of peace and security. Societies are utterly unprepared for their governance.
Another powerful trend will continue to impact science production and uses worldwide: the race for technological dominance is on. Furthermore, it has become a core dimension of national security and foreign policy – be it in the United States, China or Europe.
Main Challenge
Mapping relevant emerging technologies and the drivers that underpin the geopolitics around them is and will be critical to operate strategically in this new
environment – and to identify opportunities for dialogue and cooperation.
While the current environment might seem inauspicious to advance on governance frameworks, it is precisely in times of deep polarization that building trust, contacts and a common grammar is most important to prevent conflicts caused or exacerbated
by new technologies. Science is accelerating. Diplomacy must keep pace.
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