The proliferation and misuse of technologies will generate "daunting challenges" to stability, security experts said at the global defence conference in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
The security specialists said that as the development of more fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies mature, it is clear that they hold the capacity to drive new efficiencies in defence and security, government, business and healthcare, among other industries.
However, the narrative of the 4IR is not solely anchored on optimism and opportunity - as information technology and cyber weapons, when used by extremist groups, can also "sow instability" among nations.
"Even a cursory review of the events of the last several years reveals how access to information technology and cyber weapons has sown instability, weaponised identity, enabled extremist violence and contributed to escalating geopolitical and economic completion," Dr Mohammed Maliki bin Osman, Senior Minister of State of Singapore, said during a panel discussion at the conference.
International Defence Conference 2019, which was organised under the theme of 'Shaping Our Shared Future: Strengthening Our Security and Prosperity through Innovation', ended on Saturday.
The two-day global forum - which examined the latest developments in defence and security as well as the impacts of the 4IR - served as a precursor to this year's edition of Idex and Navdex, set to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from today until February 21.
Gen Joseph Votel, Commander of US Central Command, said opportunities to shape a shared future of security and prosperity will abound in the global transition - especially for governments and companies that are committed not just to technology, but also to innovation in protocols that govern the use of new technologies.
"The capacity to maximise the potential of these technologies will also require an increased emphasis on collaboration at several levels - between states, between governments, private industry and academia, and between defence industry and adjacent industries, both locally and globally," he added.
According to Votel, innovation is an important component of many military-technological competitions. "But the current dual-utilisation of the defence innovation environment and growing military demand for commercial technologies mean that it is becoming more difficult to understand who has the capabilities, how these capabilities might be used, and where military and competitive balances lie."
According to the security experts, relatively simple and commercially available technologies are being used to create risks for military and security operations.
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