What are the most conseqential technologies that exist

Justice Council Political Analysis

In order of weight: (1) advanced semiconductors and the AI they power are the technology that great-power rivalry turns on now; (2) critical minerals and rare-earth processing are the material base beneath them; (3) nuclear weapons remain the most destructive technology; (4) military systems such as air defence, drones, cyber and space are where the first two become fighting power.

The sources point to advanced semiconductors and AI as the most consequential technologies today. Critical minerals and rare-earth processing are a close second, since everything else is built on them. Nuclear weapons remain the most destructive. AI and chips are also the least regulated: no binding international rule covers them, so the states that control the supply chain set the terms.

The remedy

Two changes would alter this picture. The first is a binding multilateral regime for advanced AI and chip exports, with a verification body, to replace one-sided export decisions. The second is resource-producing states processing minerals at home and diversifying their partners at each stage of the supply chain, so no single power controls it.

Sources

Governments & official records

Governments' own agreements centre on three technologies: critical minerals and rare earths, data centres and digital infrastructure, and AI. The US and Bahrain signed a Critical Minerals Framework. The UAE and Germany agreed a package that includes new data centres. China and Chile pledged cooperation on AI and the digital economy.

Research institutes

Research sources treat AI and the chips it runs on as the central strategic technology. Three CFR experts discuss Washington's December 2025 decision to let Nvidia sell its advanced H200 AI chip to China as a security question, not just a trade one. China's State Council plans to integrate AI across the whole economy by 2035.

News & reporting

Reporting identifies semiconductors as the fastest-growing strategic industry and AI as the force driving that growth. The UN Secretary-General calls 'runaway' AI an existential threat. A South African analysis lists the technologies modern military power now depends on.