The Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), a branch of the Department of Defense, is investing almost a billion dollars in emerging technologies vital for national and economic security. The OSC funds projects from a wide range of applicants, including individuals, corporations, and even tribal governments, who are developing technologies that fall under 35 "covered technology categories." These categories include space launch, advanced materials, autonomous mobile robots, and synthetic biology. The podcast examines the OSC's investment in Ursa Major, a rocket motor company utilizing 3D printing for faster production.

https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/OSC_FY24_Investment_Strategy.pdf

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/09/27/2024-22229/notice-of-funding-availability-covered-technology-categories-equipment-financing

The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 aims to boost American semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research. The act provides funding for companies to build semiconductor factories in the US, incentivizes research and development in cutting-edge technologies, and invests in STEM education and training programs. The act also encourages international collaboration and emphasizes ethical considerations in technological advancements.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/09/fact-sheet-chips-and-science-act-will-lower-costs-create-jobs-strengthen-supply-chains-and-counter-china/

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4346

This episode, based on the report by Michael Brown and Pavit Singh discusses the importance of venture capital in supporting critical technologies. The episode highlights the need for government intervention to incentivize investments in hardware-intensive sectors, such as quantum computing, biotechnology, and clean energy. Government funding can act as a catalyst to bridge the gap between short-term profit motives and long-term national interests.

https://securityandtechnology.org/virtual-library/reports/why-venture-capital-is-indispensable-for-u-s-industrial-strategy/

The episode discusses a White House memo outlining a national strategy for AI. The memo emphasizes the need for U.S. leadership in AI development, focusing on talent acquisition, responsible development with safeguards, and international collaboration to mitigate risks. It also examines AI's impact on national security, including intelligence analysis and autonomous weapons systems, and its potential to reshape the economy.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/10/24/memorandum-on-advancing-the-united-states-leadership-in-artificial-intelligence-harnessing-artificial-intelligence-to-fulfill-national-security-objectives-and-fostering-the-safety-security/

Drawing inspiration from Silicon Valley giants like Amazon and Netflix, a 2022 report by CSIS makes the case for transforming the U.S. military into a software-defined force. Tune in to explore how principles like horizontal scaling, virtualization, and continuous integration/continuous delivery can revolutionize warfighting and prepare the DoD for the future of warfare.

https://www.csis.org/analysis/software-defined-warfare-architecting-dods-transition-digital-age

Can the U.S. maintain its edge in a rapidly changing world? This episode examines a 2020 Strategic Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence report on innovation in the Intelligence Community (IC) and analyzes the increasing threat posed by China's rapid ascent in research and development. The report calls for greater investment in basic research, closer collaboration with the private sector and allies, and a renewed focus on the importance of open source intelligence.

https://democrats-intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/final_start_report_v4.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Viu5UrlqTA

The world is a more dangerous place than at any point since WWII. The National Defense Strategy Commission, a bipartisan group, outlines the urgent threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea and what we must do to combat them.

https://armedservices.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/full-committee-hearing-findings-and-recommendations-commission-national

This podcast examines the seven key factors driving successful defense innovation, based on the CNAS report "Integration for Innovation". Hear from experts as they break down real-world examples, from Project Maven to Task Force 59, and explore ways to bridge the gap between commercial technology and national security.

https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/integration-for-innovation