February 13, 2024 -- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released an updated list of critical and emerging technologies (CETs) that are potentially significant to U.S. national security. This 2024 update outlines technologies that could chart new pathways in American innovation and strengthen the nation’s security.

“This list supports our ongoing efforts to grow and strengthen U.S. technological leadership,” said OSTP Deputy Director for National Security Stephen Welby. “It will also be a useful resource as we continue to engage allies and partners to ensure that CETs yield tangible benefits for society and are aligned with our democratic values.”

The critical and emerging technology areas in the 2024 update are:

• Advanced Computing
• Advanced Engineering Materials
• Advanced Gas Turbine Engine Technologies
• Advanced and Networked Sensing and Signature Management
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Biotechnologies
• Clean Energy Generation and Storage
• Data Privacy, Data Security, and Cybersecurity Technologies
• Directed Energy
• Highly Automated, Autonomous, and Uncrewed Systems, and Robotics
• Human-Machine Interfaces
• Hypersonics
• Integrated Communication and Networking Technologies
• Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Technologies
• Quantum Information and Enabling Technologies
• Semiconductors and Microelectronics
• Space Technologies and Systems

More on this update: The National Security Strategy notes that technology is central to today’s geopolitical competition and to the future of our national security, economy and democracy. United States and allied leadership in technology and innovation has long underpinned our economic prosperity and military strength. In the next decade, critical and emerging technologies are poised to retool economies, transform militaries, and reshape the world. The United States is committed to a future where these technologies increase the security, prosperity, and values of the American people and like-minded democracies. Today’s update to the CET list builds upon earlier lists and may inform government-wide and agency-specific efforts supporting U.S. technological competitiveness and national security.

For Quantum Information and Enabling Technologies, the list includes:

• Quantum computing
• Materials, isotopes, and fabrication techniques for quantum devices
• Quantum sensing
• Quantum communications and networking
• Supporting system