Beyond AI: What the Pentagon is missing with its trimmed ‘critical technologies’ list

CSET’s Julie George shared her expert perspective in an op-ed published by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. In the piece, she argues that while the Defense Department’s decision to narrow its list of critical technologies is a positive step, the Pentagon must also improve how it prioritizes and funds emerging technologies to address overlooked capability gaps and strengthen long-term military innovation. The Defense Department should avoid channeling additional funds into technology areas already heavily saturated with private-sector investment.CSET Research Fellow, Julie George Discussing the risks of overinvesting in already well-funded technologies like artificial intelligence, George writes, “The Defense Department should avoid channeling additional funds into technology areas already heavily saturated with private-sector investment.” To read the full op-ed, visit Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.