New technologies are advancing rapidly, which presents challenges for air force readiness in a world of rapid democratization of dual purposes technologies that are becoming cheaper to acquire, easier to use, and more destructive in nature. The next generation of deadly weapons used by conventional adversaries and by distributed enemies as IEDs may be airborne, printed, autonomous, and remotely operated with little exposure of detection or harm posed to those deploying them. To address these rising challenges, The Futurist Institute proposes to create dual use courses on future technology that will help advance air force strategic planning. This project led by The Futurist Institute will apply our knowledge of new and emerging technologies including Robotics, 3D Printing, Autonomous Systems, AI, blockchain, quantum computing, and other immersive technologies in order to foster innovative futurist strategic thinking that helps the US Air Force prepare for, counter, and defuse some of the greatest risks military, strategic, and physical threats posed by new and emerging technologies. This project will also help the US Air Force develop the strategic capabilities to form its own rubric and approach to technologies that emerge in the future.
