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Emerging Technologies

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RAND played a pivotal role in emerging technologies throughout the 20th century, from satellites and computers to information-sharing systems, packet switching, and artificial intelligence. RAND now explores the policy implications of emerging technologies across a broad scope of areas such as patient outcomes and health care quality; energy and environmental standards; privacy; military weapon systems; and training teachers and students in the 21st century.

Report
Technological Approaches to Human Performance Enhancement
Human performance enhancement (HPE) will have implications for military and intelligence operations. A variety of HPE could be of potential military and intelligence operational value. What are some approaches to HPE?
Nov 23, 2021
Report
Commercial and Military Applications of Quantum Technology
There are three main categories of quantum technology: quantum sensing, quantum communication, and quantum computing. How—and when—might these technologies affect national security? And which countries lead in developing them?
Oct 28, 2021

Explore Emerging Technologies

Commentary
After a Year of Major Hacks, 2015 Resolutions to Bolster Cyber Security
With numerous data breaches and emerging software vulnerabilities, 2014 was the year the hack went viral. But realizing a few New Year's resolutions in 2015 could help defenders make strides in protection, tools, and techniques to gain the edge over cyber attackers in years to come.
Dec 31, 2014
Blog
Snapchat CEO Discusses App's Appeal, Future of Digital Communication
With technology a persistent theme throughout RAND's biennial Politics Aside event, it was only fitting that the proceedings closed with a conversation on social media between Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Pictures, and Evan Spiegel, the 24-year-old co-founder and CEO of Snapchat.
Nov 20, 2014
Commentary
Global Collaboration Needs a Firmer Evidence Base
Policymakers should carry out a robust evaluation to assess the EU's research collaboration to date and its impacts. This review should also compare the EU's portfolio with the achievements of other players in international research. Such evidence would enhance the EU's research procurement strategy.
Nov 10, 2014
Report
The international dimension of research and innovation cooperation addressing the grand challenges in the global context
Horizon 2020, the EU's biggest research funding programme, allows the EU to play a central role in solving some of the world's grand societal challenges. This brief informs EU policy decisionmaking on research and innovation funding.
Oct 23, 2014
Project
Exploring the Current State of Health Research in Sub-Saharan Africa
While funding is the key problem, clinical researchers seeking to combat infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa cite the lack of policymaker understanding of the importance of their work as a major barrier, above lack of human resources and lack of infrastructure.
Sep 19, 2014
Commentary
Probing the Barriers to Conducting Clinical Research in Sub-Saharan Africa
Developing clinical research in sub-Saharan Africa requires a more holistic approach that considers not only individuals and institutions concerned with clinical research but also the wider health and research systems in these countries.
Sep 19, 2014
Report
Identification and Analysis of Technology Emergence Using Patent Classification
This report describes a new approach to identifying and evaluating technological emergence by analyzing connections among different technology areas using the definitions of technology areas set forth by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Sep 17, 2014
Project
Evaluating the Wellcome Trust's African Institutions Initiative
An evaluation of the Wellcome Trust's African Institutions Initiative (AII) indicates several successes while making recommendations for the future. The AII funds consortia to build sustainable, independent health research capacity at African universities and research organisations, to promote research collaboration and to train individuals for research careers in Africa.
Sep 12, 2014
Multimedia
Technology Summit for Victim Service Providers
On July 24, 2014, the RAND Corporation brought together two communities: victim service providers and technology innovators, for a national one-day summit at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley to discuss leveraging technology so victims of crime can quickly and effectively obtain the help they need.
Sep 8, 2014
Report
Living Room Connected Devices: Opportunities, Security Challenges, and Privacy Implications
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Sep 2, 2014
Commentary
The Silicon Valley Tech Industry Can Help Crime Victims
A broader approach is needed to better address the needs of millions of American victims of crimes like sexual assault, family violence, financial exploitation, gun violence, identity theft, burglary and stalking. And that's where Silicon Valley's tech community can step up.
Aug 11, 2014
Report
Evaluation of National Institute of Justice–Funded Geospatial Software Tools: Technical and Utility Assessments to Improve Tool Development, Dissemination, and Usage
A geospatial software tool-evaluation study assessed 14 recent tool developments funded by the National Institute of Justice. The study integrates input from tool developers and tool users with RAND's independent tool assessments.
Apr 3, 2014
Journal Article
Using 'Mental Models' for Developing Risk Communications
An overview of the 'mental models' methodology of communicating focuses on each step in the initial approach and offers a discussion of four specific challenges that a practitioner may face when implementing the approach and strategies for addressing them.
Dec 10, 2013
Research Brief
Future Technology Landscapes: Insights, Analysis, and Implications for Defense
Given the growing volume of primarily civil technology that can both impact and be leveraged by defense and security capabilities, the UK Ministry of Defense sought insights into relevant future technology and innovation models.
Dec 5, 2013
Report
Case Studies Explore Future Technology Landscapes
Case studies explore a growing volume of primarily civil technology that can both potentially impact and be exploited as UK defense and security capabilities.
Dec 5, 2013
Report
Implications of Future Technology Landscapes for Defense
To help the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) assess and harness wider investment in relevant technology areas, researchers examine a growing volume of primarily civil technology that can both potentially impact and be exploited as defense and security capabilities.
Dec 5, 2013
Research Brief
Toward a Dynamic and Trustworthy Internet of Things
The Internet of Things builds out from today’s Internet by creating a pervasive and self-organising network of connected, identifiable and addressable physical objects through the use of embedded chips. Several actions could inform a consistent European policy stance.
Oct 29, 2013
Dissertation
Policy Impacts on Wind and Solar Innovation
Predicting the effects of climate policies on energy use and the economy requires understanding how they will affect innovation. This study helps fill research gaps by using the number of relevant academic journal articles published per month as a proxy for innovation in wind and solar energy.
Oct 16, 2013
Journal Article
Ubiquitous Developments of the Digital Single Market
Solutions for digital access based on modern cloud technologies may facilitate re-use across borders, avoid duplication and achieve scale economics as well as cross-border interoperability for e-government services.
Oct 1, 2013
Research Brief
Using Behavioral Indicators to Detect Potential Violent Acts
Provides an overview of research on how observable behavioral indicators might be used to detect potential violent attacks, such as by suicide terrorists or those laying improvised explosive devices.
Aug 23, 2013

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RAND Topic:
Emerging Technologies

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Fiona Quimbre

Analyst

Fiona Quimbre (she/her) is a defence and security analyst at RAND Europe. Her work focuses on helping decisionmakers navigate an uncertain strategic and threat environment, prepare for possible futures and mitigate potential future risks. In particular, her research topics centre on China,…
Rebecca Lucas

Analyst

Rebecca Lucas is an analyst working in the area of defence and security (D&S) at RAND Europe. Her research interests cover diverse defence and security topics, from insurgencies and sub-state warfare to defence industrial policy and management of supply chains. She is also an experienced project…

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