Identification and Prioritization Technologies and Types of Threats in Future Warfare Using Future Studies Approach

Identification and Prioritization Technologies and Types of Threats in Future Warfare Using Future Studies Approach

Masood Taheri Mirghaed¹, Mazyar Karamaali²*, Mohammadkarim Bahadori², Mohsen Abbasi²

¹ Department of Health Services Administration, School of Health Services Management and Medical Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

² Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

ABSTRACT

The main mission of military medicine in the world is the health, relief, treatment, and rehabilitation support for the military people regarding the problems, dangers, injuries, and diseases because of special occupational conditions. The present study was descriptive in terms of the purpose of the survey type and mixed-method in terms of the research process. The study was conducted in two parts. The first part was a systematic review and extraction of required data in the field of science and technology associated with the fields of personal medicine, hyperspace health, cognitive health, and biodefense. In the second step, the related sciences and technologies and the strengths and weaknesses of the areas stated in the tables were prepared using the information extracted from papers and documents, and then the interview guide was formed and provided to experts in different fields and their opinions were collected. What emerges from the observation of the policies of science, technology, and defense products is the focus of the countries of the world on policy-making in influential sciences, which can turn the latest findings of those sciences into defense technologies and products and bring about technology and ensure deterrence at the strategic level.

Keywords: Future studies, Military medicine, Health information, War scene

Identifying macro trends and their effects on various areas is of the main concerns of each country for all areas. One of these major trends is demographic change. Population growth is considered one of the significant components of a country's defense and security power, which could result in the deterrence of countries in case of adopting proper policies and using the national identity. Increasing life expectancy is another major trend that increases investment in science and technology to combat aging, aging care, and the cost of health systems. The population aging process and increasing aging could be considered as the most effective social trend in the future of science and biotechnology and health technologies. Among the effects of establishing a knowledge-based community is the dissemination of information, privacy, and access to health information of the forces by the enemy and terrorist tools, the construction and use of cultural aggression in defense and security affairs in cyberspace could be cited. One of the natural consequences of the urbanization process is the promotion of a welfare lifestyle. Socially, urbanization is usually accompanied by increased education and awareness. This phenomenon does not necessarily reduce social harm and threats to national security.

Biomedicine and strengthening the human body are other future trends. The huge therapeutic potential of genomics along with the exponential reduction of gene editing techniques such as CRISPR have brought about a fertile context for the rapid advancement of technology in genetic engineering [15]. Systemic medicine is another future trend that has a comprehensive outlook and all kinds of biological information will give birth to future systemic medicine. The term “convergent technologies” has a significant place in the policy-making process in science and technology. The consequence of this technology is to increase longevity and anti-aging, and we can extend the range of healthy living beyond one hundred years, call designed evolution including the use of all previous approaches; however, it focuses on genetic therapy to design evolution to combine life with disease resistance [16]. Another future trend is the convergence of technologies. One of the strong trends showing itself over the past decade is the interdisciplinary approach in science and technology. The scholars in the occupying regime in Jerusalem have developed a computer for animal cells instead of biological silicon chips that use DNA. These developments may soon allow computers to communicate directly with the human brain. Advances in robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and biotechnology, quantum computing, IoT, 3D printing, automated devices, brain amplification technologies, gene editing, and universe design are key technologies that feed the fusion revolution of physical, digital, and biological worlds and will radically transform the performance of the modern economy. Moreover, they drastically affect the level of employment and the form of jobs, the nature of work, business operating models, governments, countries, regions, cities, international security, society, individual identity, ethics, human relations, and the management of individual and collective information whose signs are now emerging from the convergence of technology. Among the other future trends are the development of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is growing rapidly, and its successful application in e-health is likely due to the availability of large data sets and computing resources. Artificial intelligence is used in many areas of medicine like oncology, dermatology, radiology, neurology, neurodegenerative diseases, and many more. Generally, a major AI theme in medicine is Clinical Decision Support (CDS) to help physicians in the care setting [17]. Another trend is artificial biology. Artificial biology is introducing engineering principles into biotechnology using computer modeling and DNA combinations to write gene sequences from scratch. Reducing costs and the emergence of new gene-editing tools such as Crisper accelerate this development. Trends in biological defense strategies to meet unmet needs for the production of immunosuppressive and full-blown antibodies contain human-like glycosylation patterns. Ebola virus reveals mAbs with modified N-glycosylation patterns increase potency and could potentially be used as human therapies to increase potency with modified N-glycosylation patterns and potentially be used as human therapies [18].

Another trend is associated with the economy, jobs, and productivity. The current trend shows that the sharing of the economy in the world is increasing. Thus, the growth of employment instability is reduced. However, with digital growth, it is likely to get out of the states’ control. With aging, future growth is increasingly driven by innovation and investment in skills. The economy based on digital is emerging rapidly creating great opportunities for individuals, foreign firms, and entrepreneurs to succeed in the market [19].

As water scarcity and drought, as well as energy consumption, could be a threat to the security of the country, the armed forces need to help the country. Planning a new generation of water treatment facilities using advanced technologies to solve the challenges posed by micro-sized contaminants including medical and cosmetic contaminants, and so on, and using IoT and advanced energy storage technologies bring about opportunities for better monitoring and management of energy systems. Advances in science and technology in bio-defense and increasing demand, environmental complexity, anxiety, error risk, and bio-threats are increasing [20]. People active in defense science and technology have to have access to new technologies more quickly. The slacking of the responsible organizations in this field could result in exceeding the capabilities of rival countries. Climate change affects mass migration, transportation, agriculture, housing, and energy production. Energy technology innovation will be the key in reaching a two-degree temperature reduction scenario. A comprehensive list of low-carbon technologies, including solutions for decarbonization, has to be pursued for climate goals and policies. IoT, applications, and sensors lead to better monitoring of climate change, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

Identifying the sciences and technologies affecting the future of defense command and management is of the basic requirements of the defense sector. The overall list of possible sciences and technologies in the field of military medicine and examples of discontinuation technologies and monitoring in bio-defense, cognitive health, telemedicine, and personal medicine affected by these sciences and technologies based on the source of obvious information is as follows:

Cloud Computing in Health Information Technology

Cloud computing is a computing model based on computer networks such as the Internet, which provides a new model for the supply, consumption, and provision of computing services in the network. In this technology, access to online services in cyberspace is possible in a flexible and scalable way on-demand, based on the volume of user demand. Cloud computing shows a new and leading-edge in health information technology. Using cloud computing in health information technology provides many opportunities to provide health care services. Thanks to cloud computing, thick paper files, radiographs, and medical prescriptions, which are usually handwritten, will become electronic documents that can be accessed at any time and place [21].

IoT in Health

IoT is one of the most widely used technologies that we will hear more about in the coming years and the developments resulting from the use of this technology. Although IoT is applicable in all areas, one can state that one of the most important and attractive areas that can adapt faster than other areas is health. Among the applications of IoT in health, one can refer to smart boards, remote monitoring of medical symptoms, continuous monitoring of blood sugar and insulin levels, connected spray for asthmatic patients, cancer treatment, edible and digestible sensors, and smart medical contact lenses in healthcare and blood coagulation testing. Although there are many concerns on health care in this regard persist, the place of IoT in health and health care is growing [22].

Artificial Intelligence in Biology and Medicine

Artificial intelligence is a technology and branch in computer science that deals with studying and developing software and smart devices. The main ideas of artificial intelligence should be sought in philosophy, linguistics, mathematics, psychology, neuroscience, physiology, rotation theory, probability, and optimization, with its many uses in defense, computer science, engineering, biology, medicine, social sciences, and many other sciences [23]. It is estimated that artificial intelligence will enable robots to create works of art like humans. It is also predicted that humans can drastically improve their language skills by using an implantable chip in the neocortex area of ​​the brain [24].

Computational Sociology and Prediction of Collective Behavior in Health

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, especially in artificial intelligence, countries seek methods and solutions that pave the way for their survival in the chaotic atmosphere of the future. One of the critical tools to reach this in recent years can be the technology of computational sociology and predicting collective behavior. Some of the sub-technologies associated with this phenomenon can be considered as virtual social networks, optimization technologies derived from applied mathematics such as neural networks, data mining, genetic programming, and machine learning [25].

Human Brain-like Calculations (Neuromorphic)

One of the technologies that are effective in the future of command and control of the battlefield is to reach a degree of capability that can control objects through the power of the mind and using the interface between the brain and the computer. Companies such as Facebook seek to hire neuroscientists. One of the key technologies in this field is nanotechnology technology and progress in each of the fields - material production, provision of tools and connections, computational architecture, brain-inspired solutions, manufacturing/production of artificial neurons, computer/brain-brain communication software/computers, modeling and simulation of self-conscious robots, humans integrated with machines, and application design - accelerate this technology [26].

Replication in Biology

Nowadays, "cloning" or human cloning has turned into a global debate. Although its details are not yet clear to the world and its future, many individuals and groups around the world pursue the explanation of this new phenomenon from different aspects through ongoing studies at the same time. Despite many advances by scientists in animal cloning, it has been proven that it is very difficult to clone humans and other mammals every time it is human when it comes to humans. However, although human has not yet reached the ability to fully imitate a human so far, human cells have been made [27].

Data Mining, Text Mining, and Big Data Analysis

In the past two decades, information technology has been widely used in medicine. E-health is a new and growing field of the intersection of medical information, health, and information technology. Big data is a term for a large, diverse dataset with a complex structure including difficulties in storage, analysis, imaging, and processing. Big data analysis has changed the way management is managed in different areas, including health care, and has created promising opportunities. Big data has become the main driving force in the emergence of new technologies including artificial intelligence, data science, and the IoT in the age of digital transformation [28].

The Science of Modeling and Simulation

The science of simulation and modeling stems from human attention to the reproducibility of the realities of the universe, and many art forms have been simulated. The most prevalent application of simulation studies has been studying human behavior in dangerous situations like a battlefield without endangering one's life. Simulating building behavior against natural disasters such as earthquakes or storms is a common application of this method and new tools in this field have been placed to exploit commanders and combat units with an increase in the advancement of computer science. Modeling and simulation science in health can be used for medical education and health management [29].

Predicting and Identifying the Nature of Accidents

The predictive analysis involves some statistical techniques including modeling, prediction, machine learning, and data mining, analyzing the past common facts to make predictions for the future or unknown events. Predicting and identifying the nature of accidents in intelligent risk prediction in health care, intelligent risk diagnosis, and assessment models, and modeling of intelligent decision support systems can be used in the health domain.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a set of techniques and approaches where living organisms or some of them are used in the processes of production, change, and optimization or for special uses of plants and animals. One of the biotechnology applications is biosensors, used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and tissue engineering. Another branch of biotechnology is agricultural biotechnology and livestock production, used in agricultural processes and increasing crop yields and livestock production. For instance, using this technology, one can create transgenic plants adaptable to specific environmental conditions. Agricultural companies manipulate crop seeds to increase pest resistance [30].

Nanobiotechnology

Nanotechnology in biology (molecular and cellular genetics) and biotechnology as nanobiotechnology allows us to insert components and parts into cells and create new materials using self-repairing methods [31]. The creation of DNA-based structures in medicine, pharmacy, genetic engineering, and biotechnology will be a new revolution in these sciences. Currently, nanotechnology is primarily used to produce biosensors [32].

CONCLUSION

What emerges from monitoring the policies of science, technology, and defense products is the focus of the countries of the world on policy-making in influential sciences, which can achieve a significant advantage for the country with knowledge and technology by converting the latest findings of those sciences into defense technologies and products and ensure deterrence at the strategic level. America is the pioneer of military medicine, with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) accountable for developing new technologies in the country.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This study was part of a Research project supported by the Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (99000722).

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: None

ETHICS STATEMENT: None