White House revises critical technology list, removing data centers and batteries while adding quantum cryptography

Aug 19, 2026

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy releases its updated National Security Science & Technology Strategy, shrinking the Critical and Emerging Technologies list from 18 to 14 categories. The revision removes data centers, batteries, and augmented reality to avoid competing with private sector investments, while adding post-quantum cryptography and integrated photonics. The strategy also prioritizes closed-weight foundation models and low-cost drone swarms for military deterrence.

Critical technology list revision

▪Federal agencies use the Critical and Emerging Technologies list to write export control rules, screen foreign investment through CFIUS, vet federally funded research proposals, and set research and development budget priorities.
▪The White House removed data centers from the Critical and Emerging Technologies list because private sector hyperscalers are already building capacity, aligning with guidance to complement rather than compete with private investment.
▪The August 2026 Critical and Emerging Technologies list added post-quantum cryptography, integrated photonics, high entropy alloys, and hardened operating systems for consumer use.
▪The August 2026 Critical and Emerging Technologies list shrank from 18 to 14 categories, removing advanced cloud services, high-performance data storage, data centers, batteries, grid integration, gas turbine engines, and augmented and virtual reality.
▪The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy published its renewed National Security Science & Technology Strategy in August 2026, revising the Critical and Emerging Technologies list for the first time since February 2024.

Military drone swarm priorities

▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy designates undersea, space, and artificial intelligence and autonomy as priority areas for military research and spending to deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific.
▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy lists multi-agent systems and swarm intelligence as critical technologies within the military's artificial intelligence and autonomy priority areas.
▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy emphasizes low-cost, attritable drone swarms to complement limited numbers of sophisticated military platforms.

Defense acquisition reform efforts

▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy encourages military purchasing to adopt faster, non-traditional approaches that involve higher risk but offer high potential reward.
▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy directs Pentagon buyers to bypass traditional acquisitions in favor of performance-based contracts and other transaction authorities to accelerate technology procurement.

Startup market access expansion

▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy directs federal agencies to build streamlined pathways, such as Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, for smaller defense tech startups to access federal infrastructure.
▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy targets foreign military sales rules and export controls to facilitate the sale of defense technology to international allies.

Foundation model AI strategy

▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy prioritizes closed-weight foundation models, such as large language, multimodal, and world systems, while omitting open-weight models and open-source software development.
▪An Annenberg Public Policy Center poll found that only 18 percent of Americans believe artificial intelligence will be a positive force for the United States.
▪Scalare Advisors partner Michael Schiffer stated that omitting open-weight artificial intelligence models from the August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy is a potential strategic gift to China.

Semiconductor infrastructure funding

▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy funding guidance directs federal agencies to rely on the private sector for later-stage work in advanced manufacturing, advanced communications, future computing, and positioning, navigation, and timing.
▪The August 2026 National Security Science & Technology Strategy treats semiconductors as infrastructure to secure rather than a frontier to push, ticking six of seven national security needs but omitting the transformative technology leadership category.