Governing Emerging Technologies—Looking Forward with Horizon Scanning and Looking Back with Technology Audits

Details

Author(s):
Publish Date:
August 29, 2022
Publication Title:
Global Public Policy and Governance
Format:
Journal Article
Citation(s):
  • Henry T. Greely, Governing Emerging Technologies—Looking Forward with Horizon Scanning and Looking Back with Technology Audits, 2 Glob. Pub. Pol’y & Governance 266 (2022).
Related Organization(s):

Abstract

Many technologies, particularly in the life sciences, are subject to governance regulation. Discussion of such governance tends to focus on limits on research and experimental uses and then on a decision whether, and how, to allow wide use. Two other important aspects of technology governance, one earlier and one later, have been discussed less: anticipation of technologies with important effects and the monitoring of the actual effects of adopted technologies. This article will analyzes those points of the governance process and proposes a plan to improve their functioning. The article argues first that the world would benefit from a more visible and influential approach to spotting and analyzing emerging technologies through a high profile “Horizon Scanning Group.” It then proposes a more formal approach to monitoring and assessing new developments through “Technology Audit Groups.” The article’s third section discusses complicated organizational issues surrounding these proposed groups and proposes some specific approaches.