Joint Force Quarterly
Abstract
This book review assesses Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar’s The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the 21st Century’s Greatest Dilemma, which surveys the rapid development of artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and other general-purpose technologies and the challenge of containing their unintended consequences. Suleyman argues that falling costs, accelerating innovation, increasing autonomy, and broad applicability are expanding the power of individuals and groups while making emerging technologies difficult to control. The reviewers highlight the book’s treatment of artificial intelligence, generative AI, synthetic biology, advanced energy, and quantum technologies, as well as its proposed containment mechanisms, including regulation, technical safety, new governance and ownership models, accountability, and transparency. They agree that these technologies carry significant societal, military, and national security implications, but question Suleyman’s reliance on stronger nation-states as the primary solution. Instead, they argue that the global diffusion and democratization of technological power point toward the need for greater international cooperation and governance. The review concludes that The Coming Wave offers valuable insight for the joint force by framing the opportunities, risks, and policy challenges associated with emerging technologies while raising broader questions about sovereignty, cooperation, and the future of technological governance.
Included in
Defense and Security Studies Commons, Military History Commons, Peace and Conflict Studies Commons, Public Policy Commons