From 19–21 August 2024, the University of Tokyo hosted the second “San Diego Process” (SDP) in Tokyo, Japan with representatives of the Quadrilateral states for a discussion of critical and emerging technologies. Partners in the effort included the National Security College of the Australian National University (ANU), the Observer Research Foundation of India (ORF), the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, and the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at the University of Tokyo. This iteration of the event took place in consultation with the Quad Investors Network (QUIN).

The forum featured forty-six participants representing both the public and private sectors of the Quad states. The participants hailed from academic institutions, venture capitalist firms, research laboratories, think tanks, legal firms, technological firms, and government agencies/ministries responsible for foreign affairs, national security, technology policy, and economic affairs. Discussions were broken into three distinct channels relevant to Critical and Emerging Technology (CET).

• The first centered on how to enhance intra-Quad technological cooperation.
• The second focused on how the Quad can engage more effectively with the wider Indo-Pacific in the technological realm.
• The final spent its energy working towards ways the to enhance the Quad’s collaborative security approach to domain awareness.

The event had a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Commercial Opportunities in Space, Digital Infrastructure and Development, International Standards for Digital Tools and Emerging Technology, Mis/Disinformation, Strategic Communications regarding CET, and Domain Awareness efforts. The next iteration of the SDP will take place on the campus of the effort’s newest institutional partner, Stanford University, from 16–18 June 2025.  Read the full report which includes takeaways and policy recommendations pertaining to the Quad and CET.

Read the 2nd San Diego Process: The Quad Critical & Emerging Technology Forum Report.

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