Global Tech Tensions: OECD Report Urges Policy Balance Between Scientific Openness and National Security
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of Science & Technology | Ministry of Defence
The OECD Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Outlook 2025 reviews the rapidly changing global landscape for research and development (R&D), concluding that multiple crises—particularly geopolitical tensions and the urgency of climate change—are forcing governments to fundamentally reshape their innovation policies. The core challenge for nations, including India, is balancing scientific openness and international cooperation with rising concerns over economic and national security.
Key Trends Shaping Global Innovation Policy:
Securitization of STI: Geopolitical tensions and competition over critical technologies (like AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors) are driving a major shift. Governments are increasingly aligning STI policy with national security goals.
Research Security Surge: The number of national policies aimed at protecting sensitive research and preventing foreign interference has sharply increased, rising nearly tenfold since 2018.
Strategic Investment: Public R&D spending on strategic areas like energy and defence has grown significantly faster than overall R&D budgets.
Climate & Resilience Focus: The report underscores that meeting climate neutrality goals requires larger, more directed R&D investments and a fundamental reappraisal of STI systems to ensure they contribute to the sustainability transition.
Technology Governance: There is a growing need for policies to manage the dual-edged nature of emerging technologies (like Quantum Computing), which offer immense economic potential but also pose risks to national security and fundamental rights.
For India, this report reinforces the need for its Science, Technology and Innovation policy to navigate the delicate balance between international collaboration (essential for climate and health research) and the need for “technology sovereignty” in critical areas. The data on rising R&D investment in energy and defense provides a benchmark for India to strengthen its own strategic public funding and protect its domestic research integrity through enhanced security frameworks.
What is “Technology Sovereignty” in global policy?→ “Technology Sovereignty” is a term that has emerged in OECD and partner economies to frame national STI policy, referring to a nation’s desire and ability to control its access to and command over key technologies (such as semiconductors or AI) that are crucial for its economic competitiveness, security, and digital resilience. This concept often leads to policies aimed at reducing vulnerable dependencies in global supply chains.
Follow the full report here: OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2025