The Office of the Special Envoy for Vital and Emerging Technology begins operations today at the Department of State. Secretary Blinken established the office as part of the wider modernization agenda due to the fact that the constellation of critical and emerging technologies improving the world is now an important part of the conduct of U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy. The competition to develop and deploy fundamental technologies is intensifying. The Office of the Special Envoy will bring extra technology policy knowledge, diplomatic management, and tactical instructions to the Department’s approach to critical and emerging innovations. As the Department works to enhance tech diplomacy throughout the organization, the office will supply a center of expertise and energy to develop and collaborate vital and emerging technology foreign policy, and to engage foreign partners on emerging innovations that will transform our societies, economies, and security– including biotechnology, advanced computing, expert system, and quantum information technologies. It will work in close coordination with the various bureaus and offices across the Department that are engaging on these and other innovation topics that are central to our diplomacy.
Dr. Seth Center will act as the Deputy Envoy and stand and develop out the office. Dr. Center has comprehensive experience operating at the intersection of nationwide security and technology policy in and out of federal government.