Technological Change and Innovation as Security Threats

Jan Masaryk Centre for International Studies, Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics, Prague, nám. W. Churchilla 4, Praha 3, 130 67, Czech Republic

^* Corresponding author: rolencj@vse.cz

Abstract

Technological change and innovation, together with the related development of science, have been perceived as drivers of social and economic progress and public optimism in the globalizing world. Indeed, in the past centuries and especially decades, there has been a huge advancement of humankind that can be both felt and measured. However, people have also learned that science and technology can be misused or abused, or they can have unintended consequences (cf. nuclear fission). Especially in times when the public feels that the change is fast and unprecedented, they also provoke fear and resentment. Science, technological change, and innovation can be presented and perceived as security threats, i.e. securitized. It seems that, now, we are living in one of such historical periods. The goal of the paper is to analyse if and how technological change and innovation are presented or perceived as security threats, especially in the Czech political and public discourse. To reach the goal, we can ask the following research questions: Are science, technological change, and innovation securitized? What are the concrete examples of emerging technologies and innovations that are securitized? (e.g. artificial intelligence and robotics, biotechnologies) Is the narrative present in the Czech political and public discourse? Is the securitization process successful? What are the lessons learned and recommendations for policy?