DARPA Director Stefanie Tompkins Kick-off for the New SMA Series on the Mind-tech Nexus

Speaker: Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, (Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [DARPA])

Date: 26 May 2022

Speaker Session Summary

SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Stefanie Tompkins (Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [DARPA]) as part of its SMA Mind-Tech Nexus Speaker Series.

Advances in neuro-technology have been used for both the benefit and detriment of society. Even well-intentioned technologies have been used to commit atrocities. Dr. Tompkins commented that researchers must consider the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of every new technology invented, including non-lethal technology. This process includes: a) creating a scientific breakthrough, b) accepting and managing its technological risks, and c) accelerating the technology’s developmental road map. DARPA has been on the forefront of scientific breakthroughs and the development of dual-use technology—like neuro-technology—for decades.

DARPA is applying neuro-engineering to several domains, including robotics and autonomous systems, prosthetics and human enhancement, cyber weapons, and non-lethal technology advancements. Currently, neurotechnology can alter peoples’ actions and sensations. For example, prosthetics and human enhancement are allowing individuals who lost limbs to feel sensations for the first time. Dr. Tompkins stated that committee recommendations for pursuing neuro-technology are: a) engage ELSI throughout the program’s lifecycle, b) declare concerns over technology use publicly, c) regularly review for known and emerging issues, and d) constantly engage with the public. 

Speaker Session Recording

Briefing Materials

Biography:

Dr. Stefanie Tompkins is the director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Prior to this assignment, she was the vice president for research and technology transfer at Colorado School of Mines. Tompkins has spent much of her professional life leading scientists and engineers in developing new technology capabilities. She began her industry career as a senior scientist and later assistant vice-president and line manager at Science Applications International Corporation, where she spent 10 years conducting and managing research projects in planetary mapping, geology, and imaging spectroscopy. As a program manager in DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office, she created and managed programs in ubiquitous GPS-free navigation as well as in optical component manufacturing. Tompkins has also served as the deputy director of DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office, director of DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office – the agency’s most exploratory office in identifying and accelerating breakthrough technologies for national security – as well as the acting DARPA deputy director. Tompkins received a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology and geophysics from Princeton University and Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in geology from Brown University. She has also served as a military intelligence officer in the U.S. Army.

The SMA Mind-Tech Nexus Speaker Series description and list of the other sessions in this series can be downloaded here.