Global Science and Technology Governance: Impetus, Challenges, and Prospects

Abstract

Security risks arising from accelerating technological advances have become increasingly evident as humanity now stands on the threshold of a new industrial revolution. Not only are technology-driven military reforms and technology races intensifying broader geopolitical competition among major powers, advancing frontiers of scientific inquiry such as cyberspace and outer space are also opening up new domains of potential conflict, making governance of the global commons an increasingly contentious issue. Promoting global science and technology governance to mitigate and reduce the potential security risks presented by the technological revolution has become an increasingly urgent task. However, today’s global efforts at risk control and prevention face significant challenges and constraints, including a fragmented governance architecture, an outdated power politics mentality, and inequitable distribution of technological power. To improve global science and technology governance, the international community should build an inclusive, resilient, and effective platform that is able to accommodate and reflect the interests and aspirations of both developed countries and developing nations, with a focus on addressing major risks accompanying emerging and foundational technologies like information and communications, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure.