Future Issues And Technology (FIT)

The Future Issues and Technology (FIT) research cluster supports the development of RSIS’ research agenda on emerging issues where science and technology intersect with national security. FIT works collaboratively with a wide range of RSIS stakeholders to explore and incubate topics that could become new research areas and builds up RSIS’ networks with science and technology experts and researchers working on ideas yet to enter the mainstream. FIT’s current focus areas include: (1) AI & Data, (2) Technology & Geopolitics, (3) Science & Technology’s Evolving Relationship with National Security, (4) Space, (5) Biotechnology, and (6) Quantum technologies.

Publications

2025

Asha Hemrajani, “Securing Singapore’s Undersea Cables,” RSIS Commentary, February 21, 2025 [PDF]
Tomida Haruka, “Artificial Intelligence for the Defence of Japan: Cautious but Steady Progress,” RSIS Commentary, February 17, 2025 [PDF]
Taufik R Nugraha, Arfin Sudirman, “Indonesia’s Space Defence Programme: Opportunities and Challenges,” IDSS Paper, February 12, 2025 [PDF]
Julius Cesar Imperial Trajano, Jeselyn, “Biosecurity Awareness and Education in Southeast Asia,” RSIS Commentary, January 27, 2025 [PDF]
Michael Raska, “Will AI-Driven “Super-OODA Loops” Revolutionise Military Strategy and Operations?,” RSIS Commentary, January 20, 2025 [PDF]
Manoj Harjani, “Military AI Governance in 2024: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back,” IDSS Paper, February 12, 2025 [PDF]

2024

Andrej Zwitter, Keith Paolo Catibog Landicho, “AI in Humanitarian Action: Understanding the Digital Divide and Humanitarian Principles,” IDSS Paper, December 17, 2024 [PDF]
Alvin Chew, Zhou Yingxin, “Why Small Modular Reactors Are Suitable Underground,” RSIS Commentary, November 22, 2024 [PDF]
Hu Xinyue, “Rare Earth Supremacy: China’s Ace in the Clean Technology Competition,” IDSS Paper, November 13, 2024 [PDF]
Hu Xinyue, “Emerging Battleground: China’s Critical Minerals Leverage in the Chip War,” IDSS Paper, November 12, 2024 [PDF]
Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Iuna Tsyrulneva, Chee Yong Sean Chua, “AI in Space Technologies: A Singapore Case Study,” RSIS Policy Report, October 29, 2024 [PDF]
Benjamin Ang, Dymples Leong, “Networks of Inauthentic News Sites and the Risk of Hostile Information Campaigns in Singapore,” RSIS Policy Report, October 25, 2024 [PDF]
Benjamin Ang, Dymples Leong, “Inauthentic Local Lifestyle and News Websites and the Challenge for Media Literacy,” RSIS Policy Report, October 25, 2024 [PDF]
Benjamin Ang, Dymples Leong, “How a Network of Inauthentic Websites Could Be a Threat to Singapore,” RSIS Commentary, October 23, 2024 [PDF]
Jeselyn, Julius Cesar Imperial Trajano, “Cyberbiosecurity: Adapting to Emerging Threats in the Biosecurity Landscape,” RSIS Commentary, October 17, 2024 [PDF]
Frank Umbach, “The Transition to Net Zero Emissions: Competing Perspectives on the Use of Nuclear Power,” RSIS Commentary, September 30, 2024 [PDF]
Benjamin Ang, Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, “Enhancing ASEAN Cooperation Against AI-Powered Cyber Influence Operations,” RSIS Commentary, September 6, 2024 [PDF]
Asha Hemrajani, “The Use of AI in Terrorism,” RSIS Commentary, August 26, 2024 [PDF]
Arvind Rajanthran, “The Geopolitics of Outer-Space: Can Singapore Do More?,” RSIS Commentary, August 26, 2024 [PDF]
Maximilien Berthet, “Southeast Asian Space Activities: Recent Trends in Regional Cooperation,” RSIS Commentary, August 20, 2024 [PDF]
Usman Naseem, Asha Hemrajani, Tan E-Reng, “Deciphering the Language of Internet Memes, its Use in Disinformation and Detection via AI,” RSIS Commentary, August 8, 2024 [PDF]
Mei Ching Liu, “The Case for AI-Based Decision Support Systems Oversight,” IDSS Paper, August 7, 2024 [PDF]
Benjamin Ang, Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, “Deepfakes and the Dangers to National Security and Defence,” RSIS Commentary, July 23, 2024 [PDF]
Tan Teck Boon, “Bitcoin in 2024: Issues, Risks and Policy Implications,” RSIS Policy Report, July 8, 2024 [PDF]
Chua Chee Yong Sean, Tan E-Reng, “Fostering Southeast Asian Discourse on Space Technologies,” RSIS Commentary, July 3, 2024 [PDF]
Tan Teck Boon, “Making Sense of Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Products,” RSIS Commentary, June 20, 2024 [PDF]
Benjamin Ang, Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Elias Carayannis, Alvin Chew, Frank Umbach, “Science, Technology and Security, June 2024,” Future Issues, June 12, 2024 [PDF]
Cung Vu, “New Biofrontiers: Where Biotechnology, National Security, and Geopolitics Intersect,” RSIS Commentary, May 9, 2024 [PDF]
Cung Vu, “Semiconductors & Artificial Intelligence: High Stakes Chips in the US-China Competition,” RSIS Commentary, May 7, 2024 [PDF]
Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, “The Use of Space Technologies for Public Health,” RSIS Commentary, May 6, 2024 [PDF]
Keith Paolo Landicho, “Space Technology for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief in ASEAN,” IDSS Paper, May 3, 2024 [PDF]
Jose Miguelito Enriquez, “The Copyright Dilemma Shaping the Future of Generative AI,” RSIS Commentary, April 15, 2024 [PDF]
Alvin Chew and Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, “Red Hydrogen for a More Sustainable Future in Aviation,” RSIS Commentary, April 12, 2024 [PDF]
Wu Wan Xin, “Taiwan’s Reliance on the Semiconductor Industry: A Geopolitical Achilles’ Heel?,” IDSS Paper, April 8, 2024 [PDF]
Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano and Nuurrianti Jalli, “AI and Elections: Lessons for Southeast Asia,” RSIS Commentary, February 16, 2024 [PDF]
Benjamin Ang, Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Lynette Tan, Shankar Sivaprakasam, and Erick Lansard , “Science, Technology and Security, January 2024,” Future Issues, January 31, 2024 [PDF]
Jose Miguelito Enriquez, “Singapore’s Proposal on Global Generative AI Governance,” RSIS Commentary, January 30, 2024 [PDF]

2023

Tan Teck Boon, “The Threat Posed by Unmanned Surface Vessels” RSIS Commentary, December 28, 2023 [PDF]
Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Benjamin Ang, “We Need to Prevent a Global AI Arms Race Now” RSIS Commentary, December 14, 2023 [PDF]
Julius Cesar Imperial Trajano, Jeselyn, Mely Caballero-Anthony, “Advances in Biotechnology: The Need to Strengthen Biosecurity” RSIS Commentary, December 14, 2023 [PDF]
Simon Cleobury, “Barriers to New Arms Control Regulation on AI?” IDSS Paper, November 29, 2023 [PDF]
Manoj Harjani, Gatra Priyandita, “What’s Next for 5G in Southeast Asia?” RSIS Commentary, November 7, 2023 [PDF]
Jose Miguelito Enriquez, “Global Data Governance: ASEAN Pathways to Regional and International Leadership,” RSIS Commentary, October 3, 2023 [PDF]
Benjamin Ang, Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Aaron Maniam, Simon Chesterman and Shashi Jayakumar, “Science, Technology and Security, September 2023,” Future Issues, September 26, 2023 [PDF]
Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, “Artificial Intelligence Governance: Lessons from Decades of Nuclear Regulation,” RSIS Commentary, September 21, 2023 [PDF]
Tan Teck Boon, “Unmanned Systems: The Threat to Public Safety,” RSIS Commentary, August 14, 2023 [PDF]
Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, “How ASEAN can Contribute to International AI Governance Frameworks,” RSIS Commentary, August 14, 2023 [PDF]
Manoj Harjani and Stefanie Kam, “Domestic Politics and the US-China Chip War,” IDSS Paper, February 15, 2023 [PDF]
Quentin Verspieren, “ASEAN Space Programmes: Navigating Regional Rivalries,” RSIS Commentary, January 18, 2023 [PDF] [By Invitation]
David Joseph, “The Cryptography Race: Securing Systems Before Quantum Computers Arrive,” RSIS Commentary, January 13, 2023 [PDF] [By Invitation]
Benjamin Ang, Terence Ho, and Shashi Jayakumar, “Commentary: The good, bad and unknowns of letting Singapore’s civil servants use ChatGPT”, Today, 1 March 2023[Article]

2022

Manoj Harjani, “Singapore’s Sanctions Against Russia: What Are the Long-Term Implications?” in US-Singapore: Advancing Technological Collaboration and Innovation in Southeast Asia, ed. Mark Bryan Manatan (Honolulu: Pacific Forum, September 2022), 7-12 [PDF]
Manoj Harjani and Shantanu Sharma, “Will Quantum Supply Chains Fall Victim to Geopolitics?” IDSS Paper, August 18, 2022 [PDF]. Reprinted in The Straits Times [Article, $]
Hannah Sworn and Manoj Harjani, “US–China Economic Competition Rests on Intellectual Property,” East Asia Forum, 29 June 2022 [Article]
Shantanu Sharma and Manoj Harjani, “Rethinking the ‘Quantum Apocalypse’,” RSIS Commentary, May 20, 2022 [PDF]
Manoj Harjani, “Indigenous 6G: Can India Pull It Off?” 360info, 16 May 2022 [Article]
Manoj Harjani and Tan Ming Hui, “Can an Antifragile Mindset Help Reframe the China-US Tech Rivalry?” The Diplomat, April 27, 2022 [Article, $]
Shashi Jayakumar, “State Surveillance – Where Do We Draw the Line?” The Straits Times, February 28, 2022 [Article, $]

2021

Tan Ming Hui and Manoj Harjani, “Endemic COVID-19: Can S-E Asia Stay on Track Despite Omicron?” The Straits Times, December 24, 2021 [Article, $]
Manoj Harjani and Teo Yi-Ling, “The Paradox of Scaling AI: New Age or Future Winter?” RSIS Commentary, December 14, 2021 [PDF]
Manoj Harjani and Auyong Hawyee, “Singapore’s AI ‘Living Lab’: Safety Rules Essential,” RSIS Commentary, September 28, 2021 [PDF]
Manoj Harjani, “Is the EU’s AI Legislation a Good Fit for ASEAN?” East Asia Forum, July 14, 2021 [Article]
Manoj Harjani, “Is Southeast Asia Ready for a US-China Tech Decoupling?” The Interpreter, May 31, 2021 [Article]
Manoj Harjani and Tan Ming Hui, “The COVID-19 Endgame: Does Southeast Asia Need More Than Resilience?” The Diplomat, March 31, 2021 [Article, $]
Manoj Harjani, “Facial Recognition: More Peril than Promise?” RSIS Commentary, February 10, 2021 [PDF]
Shashi Jayakumar, “Trust, Tracking, Transparency – Road Bumps in Spore’s Smart Nation Journey,” The Straits Times, February 5, 2021 [Article, $]
Teo Yi-Ling and Manoj Harjani, “Smart Nation: Privacy Protection and Public Trust,” RSIS Commentary, February 2, 2021 [PDF]

2020

Basil Bitas and Manoj Harjani, “We Are All Stakeholders in an AI-Supplemented World: Sino-US Rivalry and the Management of a Globally Transformative Technology,” China and the World 3, no. 4 (December 2020): 2050014 [Article, $]
Manoj Harjani, Dymples Leong and Teo Yi-Ling, “Artificial Intelligence: Sustaining Singapore’s AI Ambitions,” RSIS Commentary, November 24, 2020 [PDF]
Shashi Jayakumar and Manoj Harjani, “Between Byte and Bark: Singapore, US & Chinese Tech,” RSIS Commentary, October 16, 2020. Reprinted in Today [Article]
Shashi Jayakumar and Manoj Harjani, “Choosing Sides? 5G and Techno-nationalism,” The Straits Times, July 8, 2020 [Article, $]. Reprinted in RSIS Commentary [PDF]
Manoj Harjani, “Early Warning Systems: Stumbling Blocks Post-Pandemic,” RSIS Commentary, June 16, 2020 [PDF]

Events

2024

Workshop on “Responsible Quantum Technologies: Impact of Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific Region” (15-16 October 2024) [Event Page]
RSIS Roundtable on “Differentiating Among Deep Tech Projects: from AI to the Metaverse for Policymakers” (24 April 2024) [Event Page]

2023

RSIS Roundtable on “Whither Space Security? Reducing Space Threats and Preventing an Arms Race in Outer Space” (27 July 2023) [Event Page]
RSIS Webinar on “Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Access to Space: Managing an Increasingly Congested Orbital Environment” (22 June 2023) [Event Page]
RSIS Webinar on “Opportunities and Challenges in Cislunar Space and the Moon” (25 May 2023) [Event Page]

2022

RSIS-ANU Webinar on “Understanding China’s Tech Presence in Indonesia” (28 November 2022) [Event Page]
RSIS Webinar on “Transitioning to a Quantum-Secure Future” (27 October 2022) [Event Page]
RSIS Webinar on “Will Quantum Supply Chains Fall Victim to Geopolitics?” (29 September 2022) [Event Page]
CENS-FIT Webinar on “Reaching for the Stars? Contestation in Space and its Impact on ASEAN” (31 August 2022) [Closed-Door Event]
RSIS Webinar on “Inclusion in AI: Is There a Singapore Model?” (20 October 2022) [Event Page] [Event Summary]
RSIS Webinar on “Obstacles to Scaling AI: Implications for Singapore” (14 July 2022) [Event Page][Event Summary]
RSIS Webinar on “National Security’s Evolving Relationship with Science & Technology” (31 March 2022) [Event Page]
RSIS Virtual Workshop on “National Security and Emerging Technologies: Critical Issues” (2-4 March 2022) [Closed-Door Event]