Timothy Marler

Nations Must Collaborate on AI and Biotech—or Be Left Behind

As two revolutionary technologies—machine learning and gene editing—converge, forward-looking policy is necessary to both mitigate risks and leverage opportunities.

A Potential Alternative for Regulating Internet-Based Platform Services

The use of internet-based platform services like Amazon, DoorDash, and Uber Eats is increasing and can be helpful. But the companies that offer these services may be engaging in predatory practices that can harm users and local businesses. Some form of centralized policy action may help; local governments could play a more active role.

Brain and Machine Confluence Requires Multi-Sectoral Regulation to Maximize Gains

As the commercialization of brain-computer interface technology expands, it would be prudent for international policymakers to consider how this technology should be regulated, in order to reap its benefits and minimize its risks.

Unlocking Training Technology for Multi-Domain Operations

Multi-domain operations (MDO) can present many challenges for training. Involvement of various disparate organizations and services can exacerbate these challenges and can require balancing centralized coordination with decentralized training objectives. If MDO is to provide new benefits, the training community may need to solve old problems. It may need to communicate more effectively.

Ukraine's Lessons for the Future of Hybrid Warfare

A new decision-analysis approach is necessary to capture the use of disinformation in the context of hybrid warfare. Multiple tools must be integrated to help generate a robust policy response to modern hybrid threats.

Biotechnology and Today's Warfighter

Biotechnology has a broad and often misunderstood scope, one with significant implications for today's warfighter, and it may be reaching a critical junction. As it continues to mature, proactive policy becomes necessary for the federal government to leverage emerging capabilities effectively and remain competitive.

Embracing Intrinsic Cultural Advantages in Innovation

The United States has long enjoyed the benefits of novel technology, but it could lose ground soon as other countries advance. Could it be time for the United States to embrace the advantages in innovation that it holds relative to near-peers like China?

The Metaverse: What It Is and Is Not

The metaverse is quickly expanding, but its meaning remains unclear. Until an agreement on a definition of “metaverse” is reached, efforts to manage the technology development and related public policy could be muddled at best.

Beware the Allure of Training Technology

In addition to focusing on acquiring technology that helps retain a competitive advantage, the U.S. Department of Defense could also focus on codifying processes that align technology with user needs and that adapt as technology, military operations, and needs change. Considering context when planning the development and use of training technology could be crucial.

The Bright Appeal of New Tech May Overshadow Practical Business

Law enforcement departments are increasingly considering using augmented reality and virtual reality for training. How can the AR/VR industry be incentivized to ensure that content responds to user needs and is accessible?

China Is Organizing the VR Industry. The United States Could Do the Same

Given the potential value of virtual reality as a tool—and the increasing competition from China—the United States could focus more energy on advancing VR in a coordinated fashion. Otherwise, America risks missing an opportunity to excel internationally with a valuable and broadly applicable emerging technology.

Now Could Be the Time to Form Policy for Emerging Brain- and Body-Enhancement Technologies

Policymakers might consider developing appropriate policy frameworks for emerging brain- and body-enhancement technologies to ensure that innovations harnessed for societal, economic, or military benefits do not create new vulnerabilities and that governments adequately defend and manage against potential attacks. The technology is quickly moving forward. Policy may need to play catch-up.

Biology, in the Language of the People

As technology and the ability to gather ever-growing amounts of data move further into the realms of biology and human performance, communication and transparency become increasingly important. Experts should consider whether they are using the words, examples, and models that connect with a broad audience most effectively.

The American Intellectual Property

In a continued search for competitive advantage, the United States may be asking the wrong question. Perhaps the question should be, how to most effectively cultivate what is inherent in Americans.

Report

Machine Learning and gene editing at the helm of a societal evolution

Machine learning and gene editing present both benefits and risks for multiple sectors and geographic regions. This study focuses on the US, UK, China and the EU, and offers recommendations on how forward-looking ML and GE policies should be adopted.

Commentary

The Metaverse and Homeland Security: Opportunities and Risks of Persistent Virtual Environments

This Perspective provides an initial review of the metaverse concept and its relevance to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The authors map department objectives to key metaverse characteristics and identify areas for proactive efforts.

Report

Assessment of Joint All Domain Command and Control Requirements and the Use of Live, Virtual, and Constructive Capabilities for Training

This report presents research findings addressing the use of live, virtual, and constructive simulation capabilities for continuation training at air operation centers in the U.S. Air Force, in support of Joint All Domain Command and Control.

Report

A New Framework and Logic Model for Using Live, Virtual, and Constructive Training in the United States Air Force

To help improve training and readiness in the U.S. Air Force, the authors describe a framework for aligning live, virtual, and constructive capabilities with training needs on collective, complex, cognitive tasks for aircrews.

Report

Adaptive Engagement for Undergoverned Spaces: Concepts, Challenges, and Prospects for New Approaches

This report is a compendium of expert insights regarding opportunities for investing in science and technology to increase U.S. ability to engage in long-term competition in undergoverned spaces.

Commentary

What Is JADC2, and How Does It Relate to Training? An Air Force Perspective on Joint All Domain Command and Control

Given anticipated changes in warfare, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) is a critical new concept that is still developing. For JADC2 to be effective, it must be clear across all echelons, and there must be consistent communication.

Report

Supporting Joint Warfighter Readiness: Opportunities and Incentives for Interservice and Intraservice Coordination with Training-Simulator Acquisition and Use

As conflicts increasingly involve joint operations, joint simulation-based training becomes more important. The authors examine gaps between joint training needs and current and future resources to improve coordination within and among the services.

Report

Brain-Computer Interfaces: U.S. Military Applications and Implications, An Initial Assessment

Emerging brain-computer interface technologies may be used to monitor a soldier's cognitive workload, control a drone swarm, or link with a prosthetic, but policy, safety, legal, and ethical issues must be evaluated first.

Research Brief

How Can the United States Prepare a Workforce for Advanced Manufacturing Using Robotics?

As industrial robots become more advanced, there likely will be a shortage of technicians with the skills to work with, program, and repair them. This brief presents findings of RAND researchers' analysis of the state of training for these workers.

Report

An Analysis of Education and Training Programs in Advanced Manufacturing Using Robotics

As industrial robots become more advanced, there likely will be a shortage of human workers with the technical and nontechnical skills to work with, program, and repair these robots. RAND researchers assess the state of training for these workers.

Journal Article

Effective Game-Based Training for Police Officer Decision-Making: Linking Missions, Skills, and Virtual Content

This paper reports the result of a two-year pilot study that developed a framework for implementing low-cost, game-based, virtual reality technology for training police officers to improve their decision-making under stress.

Commentary

Reflections on the Future of Warfare and Implications for Personnel Policies of the U.S. Department of Defense

This Perspective summarizes and synthesizes material from a workshop addressing how U.S. Department of Defense personnel policies may evolve to address future warfare environments, which are expected to be heavily influenced by advanced technologies.

Report

Collective Simulation-Based Training in the U.S. Army: User Interface Fidelity, Costs, and Training Effectiveness

The U.S. Army uses virtual systems for collective skills training. This report examines the needs for fidelity in simulators and associated costs to support effective and efficient collective training.