Author Archive

Patrick Tucker

Science & Technology Editor, Defense One

Patrick Tucker
Patrick Tucker is science and technology editor for Defense One. He’s also the author of The Naked Future: What Happens in a World That Anticipates Your Every Move? (Current, 2014). Previously, Tucker was deputy editor for The Futurist for nine years. Tucker has written about emerging technology in Slate, The Sun, MIT Technology Review, Wilson Quarterly, The American Legion Magazine, BBC News Magazine, Utne Reader, and elsewhere.
Science & Tech

Broader federal investment in quantum sensing needed to outpace China, industry report says

Fostering quantum development for a wide range of industries is the best way to answer national-security needs, they argue.

Science & Tech

New rule aims to stop US investors from funding Chinese AI, quantum research

The new rule conscribes U.S. investment in technological areas of national-security interest.

Threats

US efforts to protect democracy in Europe could fade under Trump

Moldova’s experience underscores the key role US aid plays in warding off Russian election-meddling.

Science & Tech

Defense One Radio, Ep. 164: AUSA conference, in review

Defense One staff summarize the leading developments from this year's Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington.

Science & Tech

AUKUS experiment shows how allies with autonomy will speed up naval operations

Three nations are bringing new drone tech to Australia for an experiment that points to the future of naval warfare.

Policy

White House issues AI guidelines for national-security agencies

The new memo requires agencies to monitor, assess, and mitigate AI risks related to invasions of privacy, bias, and other human rights abuses.

Policy

Immigrants show greater willingness to join the military, study shows

Propensity to serve appears tied to civic-mindedness rather than militarism, authors write.

Science & Tech

Researchers sound alarm on dual-use AI for defense

That shiny Silicon Valley tool comes with big risks for civilians, according to a new report.

Science & Tech

Estonia considering missiles, drones that can strike inside Russia

The Ukraine war shows “you need to carry the effects deep into enemies,” the country’s defense acquisition chief said in an interview.

Threats

Regional war in Asia would be a 'global problem' for the US, Pacific Army chief warns

The Army’s transformation in the Pacific is the “game changer” against China, says Gen. Charles Flynn.

Threats

How the internet is making America more susceptible to rumors and lies

Online trends, combined with basic psychology, are increasingly helping to spread disinformation and fake news.

Science & Tech

New AI-powered strike drone shows how quickly battlefield autonomy is evolving

First-person drone piloting is yesterday’s news. Drones are becoming smarter as the electronic environment around them makes operator communication more difficult.

Science & Tech

Is ‘Big AI’ beating 'small AI'—and what does it mean for the military?

Efforts to build giant, power-hungry models may be squeezing out the kind of computing-at-the-edge projects the military actually needs.

Exclusive Science & Tech

Senators want answers from DOD on quantum sensing efforts

Bipartisan letter wonders whether China’s programs “outstrip the efforts of the United States.”

Exclusive Science & Tech

New small cruise missile slated for SOCOM gunship test

Digital engineering is helping smaller companies make big leaps in missile design.

Threats

US destroyers intercept Iranian missiles as Mideast crisis intensifies

Tehran's Tuesday evening strike on Israel used twice as many missiles as its April 14 barrage.

Science & Tech

In Ukraine, a US firm tests a promising tool against GPS jammers: cell phones

Could “networking phones together as one big distributed antenna” help foil Russian electronic warfare?