(Report) A Workshop on Game-Changing Technologies and National Security
2019.10.15KGRI and National Chengchi University International College of Innovation (ICI, NCCU) held A Workshop on Game-Changing Technologies and National Security on July 26, 2019 in Taipei, Taiwan.
Here is a summary of the workshop by Mr. Tobias Burgers
In the last days of July Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI) and Cyber Civilization Research Center (CCRC) hosted a one-day workshop in collaboration with the International College of Innovation (ICI), at the National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taipei, Taiwan, focusing on game-changing technologies -e.g. robotics, cyber and AI - and their impact on national security and global military and security affairs. The workshop was the result of an earlier visit by Professor Motohiro Tsuchiya and project Assistant Professor Tobias Burgers in April to the institute, during which both sides agreed to explore possibilities for further cooperation between both universities.
Prof. Tsuchiya, the deputy director of KGRI, once more led the delegation from KGRI, which included Mr. Burgers, Ms. Mizuho Kajiwara, a visiting institute member, and Associate Professor Michito Tsuruoka. Professor Satoru Mori of Hosei University as well as Associate Professor Tetsuo Kotani of Hosei University joined the delegation from Japan. The Taiwanese counterparts consisted of faculty members of the NCCU, as well as researchers from Taiwan's National Defense University, government (affiliated) think tanks and other universities from the island.
The program was divided into three sessions and started with a keynote lecture by Dr. Eddie Chien, general director of the dual-use technology development center, National Chung-Shan institute of science and technology - the Taiwanese equivalent of US DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) that also develops Taiwan's next-generation defense systems. Following Dr. Chien's lecture a broad discussion on the dual-use technologies ensued, with both sides highlighting the dangers of dual-use technologies, particularly in the domain of cyber and AI development. Following was the first panel, which focused on the historical perspective of game-changing technologies. Ms. Kajiwara presented her research on the development of submarines, illustrating the impact of new technologies in the military environment throughout the last centuries.
After a lunch break, the second panel, chaired by Prof. Tsuchiya, commenced, featuring presentations by Prof. Mori on current game-changing technologies and Prof. Kotani on aircraft carriers as well Dr. Tien who discussed the legal ramifications of the introduction of new technologies into the security domain.
The third panel focused on game-changing technologies in the new domain. Dr. Huang, of the Central Police University, presented his research on the threat of drones towards critical infrastructure. Mr. Burgers discussed the escalatory potential and implications of cyber conflict on conventional security relations. Dr. Yau of the NDU followed on Mr. Burgers's cyber focus and discussed the concept and dimension of cyber warfare.
Finalizing the workshop was the fourth panel, in which the central question was what could and should be done to adapt to the new security environment and how to respond to challenges arising from the introduction of new technologies. In their concluding remarks, both Prof. Tsuchiya, and Prof. Liu - dean of the college of innovation - argued for the need for further research on this subject, illustrating how over the course of the day's workshop it addressed important research questions, yet left many questions unanswered that should be further research and discussed. In this, the workshop highlighted the existing problems and illustrated the need for further cooperation by both universities to tackle research questions on this subject.
Inquiries
S19-01 Program for the Advancement of Research in Core Projects: Security and Governance in the Changing World
Project Leader: Motohiro Tsuchiya
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