- Science & Technology
- Innovation
- Understanding the Effects of Technology on Economics and Governance
From eye surgery to missile defense, lasers have become an invaluable technology reshaping medicine, communications, manufacturing, and national security. Sound policy is needed to balance innovation, dual-use risks, and U.S. competitiveness in the laser age.
From reshaping vision in eye surgery to defending against drones and linking satellites in orbit, lasers are redefining precision and power across critical fields. They exemplify how a single enabling technology can accelerate breakthroughs while raising new risks and dependencies. With applications spanning both civilian and military domains, the central challenge will be how U.S. policy manages its growth, safeguards the environment, and maintains global leadership.
RELATED SOURCES:
- Learn more about emerging technologies and the Stanford Emerging Technology Review (SETR).
- Read SETR Chapter on Laser.
