U.S. Adds Multiple Quantum Information Technologies to List of Critical and Emerging Technologies
On February 7, 2022, the United States updated its Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) list, the first update since the October 2020 release of the National Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies. The technologies covered by the list will play an important role in national security.
The technologies listed in this list involve 18 categories including advanced computing, communication and networking, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor and microelectronics technology. The number of technical categories in the new 2022 CET Inventory report has been reduced from 20 to 18 compared to the previous version.
It is worth mentioning that quantum information technology has been continuously included in the CET list. One of the main differences in the updated list is that the list released in 2020 only listed quantum information technology, while each technology area in this updated list has identified several sub-fields. The new list divides quantum information technology into five sub-fields including quantum computing; materials, isotopes and fabrication techniques for quantum devices; post-quantum cryptography; quantum sensing; and quantum networks.
2022 U.S. Government "Critical and Emerging Technology List Update" Quantum Information Technology Segments
The White House said critical and emerging technologies are a subset of advanced technologies that have potential implications for U.S. national security. The 2021 Interim National Security Strategy Guide defines three national security goals: protecting the safety of the American people, expanding economic prosperity and opportunity, and realizing and defending democratic values.
The list identifies critical and emerging technologies that have the potential to advance these goals and builds on the October 2020 release of the National Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies, a strategy by which the Trump Administration prioritizes artificial intelligence and Part of a broader effort on technologies such as quantum computing, contains an initial list of CET priorities that sets out priorities for promoting these technologies and synchronizing with other countries, with a focus on strengthening U.S. domestic and international scientific and technological efforts and protecting the U.S. Research and technology are protected from the threat of competitors.
The White House said the list will be a useful resource to guide new and existing efforts to advance U.S. technology leadership, work with allies and partners, advance democratic values, and attract and retain people from around the world. Diversify tech talent and protect American security from threats.
To develop this new CET list, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and in coordination with the National Security Council (NSC), facilitated an extensive interagency review process. The NSTC subcommittee responsible for this work includes experts from 18 departments, agencies and offices in the Office of the President who, over the course of a year, have identified sub-areas of CET that their organizations believe may be critical to U.S. national security.
Attached: 2022 List of Critical and Emerging Technologies List Update Checklist
advanced computing technology
• Supercomputing
• Edge Computing
• cloud computing
• data storage
• Computing Architecture
• Data processing and analysis techniques
Advanced Engineering Materials
• Materials Design and Materials Genomics
• Materials with new properties
• Materials with significant improvements over existing properties
• Material characterization and life cycle assessment
Advanced Gas Turbine Engine Technology
• Aerospace, maritime and industrial development and production technologies
• Full digital engine control, hot segment manufacturing and related technologies
advanced manufacturing
• Additive Manufacturing
• Clean, sustainable manufacturing
• Smart Manufacturing
• Nanofabrication
Advanced network sensing and signature management technology
• Payloads, sensors and instruments
• Sensor processing and data fusion
• Adaptive optics
• Earth remote sensing
• Signature management
• Nuclear material testing and characterization
• Chemical weapons detection and characterization
• Biological weapons detection and characterization
• Emerging pathogen detection and characterization
• Traffic sector sensing
• Security sector sensing
• Health sector sensing
• Energy sector sensing
• Building industry sensing
• Environmental sector sensing
advanced nuclear technology
• Nuclear energy systems
• Fusion energy
• Space nuclear power and propulsion systems
Artificial Intelligence Technology (AI)
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Sensory perception and recognition
• Next-generation artificial intelligence
• Planning, reasoning and decision making
• Safe and/or secure AI
Autonomous Systems and Robots
• Ground technology
• Aerial technology
• Marine Technology
• Space Technology
Biotechnology
• Nucleic acid and protein synthesis
• Genome and protein engineering, including design tools
• Multi-omics and other biometrics, bioinformatics, predictive modeling and functional phenotyping tools
• Multicellular systems engineering
• Virus and virus delivery system engineering
• Biomanufacturing and bioprocessing technologies
Communication and Network Technology
• Radio frequency (RF) and mixed-signal circuits, antennas, filters and components
• Spectrum management techniques
• Next-generation wireless networks, including 5G and 6G
• Optical link and fiber optic technology
• Land/submarine cables
• Satellite Communications
• Hardware, firmware and software
• Communications and Network Security
• Mesh network/infrastructure independent communication technology
Directed energy
• Laser
• High power microwave
• Particle beam
financial technology
• Distributed ledger technology (blockchain)
• Digital assets
• Digital payment technology
• Digital identity infrastructure
Human-Machine Interface Technology
• Augmented Reality
• Virtual Reality
• Brain-computer interface
• Human-robot collaboration
hypersonic technology
• Advance
• Aerodynamics and Control
• Materials, inspection, tracking and characterization
• Defense
Quantum Information Technology
• Quantum computing
• Materials, isotopes and fabrication techniques for quantum devices
• Post-quantum cryptography
• Quantum sensing
• Quantum Network
Generation and storage of renewable energy
• Renewable Energy
• Renewable and sustainable fuels
• Energy storage
• Electric and hybrid engines
• Battery
• Grid integration technology
• Energy saving technology
Semiconductor and Microelectronics Technology
• Design and electronic design automation tools
• Manufacturing process technology and manufacturing equipment
• CMOS technology
• Heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging
• Dedicated/custom hardware components for artificial intelligence, natural and harsh radiation environments, RF and optical components, high power equipment and other critical applications
• Novel materials for advanced microelectronics
• Wideband and ultra-wide bandgap technologies for power management, distribution and transmission
Space Technology and Systems
• On-orbit service, assembly and manufacturing
• Commercial satellite bus
• Low cost launch vehicle
• Sensors for local and wide-field imaging
• Space propulsion
• Flexible Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
• Cryogenic fluid management
• Entry, descent and landing
