Dual-use technology

Abstract

Throughout the 20th century, military and commercial developments influenced each other, creating both advantages and disadvantages for society. Dual-use technologies are those that can have both military and civilian applications. For instance, rocketry and computer technology initially developed for military purposes found success in civilian applications. However, controversies surround dual-use technologies, with nuclear power being a classic example: the peaceful use of nuclear energy may be diverted to weapons programs. Monitoring and regulating dual-use technologies have become challenging, especially with budget cuts in the post–Cold War era leading to the elimination of some dual-use programs in the United States. Current efforts focus on private-public partnerships to develop such technologies. However, some believe that the concept of dual use is outdated as technology transfer initiatives allow high technology to flow across borders, making commercial-sector developments crucial for modern armed forces. – AI-generated abstract.