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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.

Commentary
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.
Feb 15, 2023
Commentary
ChatGPT's Work Lacks Transparency and That Is a Problem
In a world with Large Language Models such as ChatGPT, there is a growing need for modernized data literacy. Developers need to be more transparent about their algorithms and data sources so that people can assess the inherent sources of bias or problems with the approach.
May 8, 2023

Explore Emerging Technologies

Q&A
Driving to Safety: Autonomous Vehicle Questions, Answered
A recent RAND report found that test-driving autonomous vehicles is not a feasible way to determine when they will be safe enough for consumer use. This resulted in a lot of questions.
Oct 25, 2016
Commentary
The Future of Hypersonic Weapons
Russia and China appear to be developing hypersonic weapons. But the United States should make decisions about whether to develop its own hypersonic weapons in a vacuum.
Oct 20, 2016
Research Brief
Accelerating the Internet of Things in the UK: Linking policy with practice
Using insights from Internet of Things (IoT) implementations and informed users of technology, RAND Europe carried out a study to support a process for policy feedback that will inform the development and adoption of the IoT in the UK.
Oct 4, 2016
Report
Accelerating the Internet of Things in the UK: Using policy to support practice
Using insights from businesses and informed users of technology, RAND Europe carried out a study to support a process for policy feedback that will inform the development and adoption of the Internet of Things in the UK.
Oct 4, 2016
Commentary
The Brains Behind Autonomous Vehicles May Need a License to Drive
Autonomous vehicles require exquisite software. To make this software secure, industry and government should consider educational standards and licensure requirements for the engineers who create it.
Sep 27, 2016
Report
Future Communications Technologies Could Strengthen Law Enforcement
A workshop with 41 experts on both law enforcement operations and broadband technologies identified needs for technology initiatives and how law enforcement could best use future capabilities while mitigating potential risks.
Sep 26, 2016
Commentary
When Will We Know Self-Driving Cars Are Safe?
Will autonomous vehicles be safe before they are allowed on the road for consumer use? Maybe. And that might be the best that can be said.
Sep 25, 2016
Commentary
How 'Star Trek' Inspired a Boy to Become a Scientist
William Marcellino discusses how “Star Trek” convinced him at an early age that science and the advancement of human knowledge could make the world a better place.
Aug 26, 2016
Commentary
Tesla Fatal Crash Reminds That Human Interface Remains Important
The first reported fatality in a self-driving vehicle is a chilling reminder that the evolving relationship with increasingly robotic motor vehicles needs to be a partnership, an undertaking with humans and machines managing the risks.
Jul 30, 2016
Commentary
The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Intelligence Agencies
The defense community has already begun a healthy dialogue about the ethics of AI in combat systems. The intelligence community should develop standards for AI risk assessments and assign responsibility for conducting them.
Jul 18, 2016
Commentary
Fatal Crash Shouldn't Kill Self-Driving Cars
The first known fatality in an autonomous vehicle occurred on May 7 and raises important questions. It does not, however, mean that self-driving cars are less safe than human drivers or that development of the technology should be stopped.
Jul 16, 2016
Commentary
Looking Out the Window to Transport in 2035
The UK's roads, railways, and airports are some of the most congested in the world. Exploring future transport scenarios and the technologies that will drive them can help guide today's policy and investment decisions.
Jun 27, 2016
Research Brief
Travel in Britain in 2035: Future scenarios and their implications for technology
By 2035 UK transport infrastructure may be severely congested. Innovate UK commissioned this study to explore how technology might address the congestion problem by using capacity more efficiently, supporting modal choice and managing travel demand.
Jun 24, 2016
Report
Travel in Britain in 2035
Without substantial investment, the UK will experience severe congestion across its transport infrastructure by 2035. How might emerging technologies be able to address the problem?
Jun 24, 2016
Commentary
How Commercial Tech Can Affect Military Intelligence Operations
Commercial technologies such as smartphones are primarily about identifying and tracking people and patterns of behavior. Their presence is greatest in urban environments. This happens to be where most military intelligence operations are conducted and where most future insurgencies and wars are likely to take place.
Jun 6, 2016
Blog
RAND's Lillian Ablon Presents 'Lessons from a Hacker'
Lillian Ablon, a cybersecurity and emerging technologies researcher, spoke at a RAND Policy Circle Conversation on the world's expanding cyber vulnerability, those who are out there to take advantage of those vulnerabilities, as well as consumer attitudes toward breaches.
Jun 1, 2016
Commentary
The Police Could Be Controlling Your Self-Driving Car
As self-driving cars become widespread, one of the biggest issues will be the rules under which public infrastructures and public safety officers may be empowered to override how autonomous vehicles are controlled.
Apr 4, 2016
Commentary
The Democratization of Space
A new economic model for outer space must account for lower barriers to entry and the involvement of more and more stakeholders, such as developing countries and start-ups.
Mar 28, 2016
Report
Autonomous Vehicle Technology: A Guide for Policymakers
Autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to significantly improve social welfare. This report addresses the numerous legislative, regulatory, and liability issues this technology will raise.
Mar 22, 2016
Commentary
How the 'Wonks' of Public Policy and the 'Geeks' of Tech Can Get Together
Conventional wisdom says that technology innovates and disrupts, while public policy regulates and controls. What might a better integration of the commercial tech sector with the policy community look like?
Mar 18, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Emerging Technologies

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Meghan Franco

Assistant Policy Researcher

Meghan Franco is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a doctoral candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Franco's research interests include bottom-up economic development, strengths-based approaches to community and individual resilience, civic and social innovation, public-private…
Hamad Al-Ibrahim

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND, and Ph.D. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Hamad Al-Ibrahim, an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D. candidate at Pardee RAND Graduate School, previously served as the executive VP for research and development at Qatar Foundation.

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