Assistant Secretary for Emerging Threats

(a) Establishment There is authorized to be in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Emerging Threats who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for International Security Affairs for matters pertaining to emerging security threats and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate. (b) Responsibilities In addition to the responsibilities described under subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Emerging Threats shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to emerging security threats in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate, the following: (1) Serving as the principal emerging security threats official within the senior management of the Department and as the advisor to the Secretary for emerging security threats, including with respect to lethal autonomous systems, engineered bioweapons, and emerging uses of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, and emerging foundational technologies. (2) Mitigating threats resulting from military applications of emerging technologies, including in the fields of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum information science, in support of United States foreign policy and national security. (3) Leading engagement, in coordination with relevant executive branch agencies, on development of diplomatic policy for national security related activities and emerging threats in the polar regions, outer space, and undersea domains. (4) Leading engagement, in coordination with relevant executive branch agencies, on the development of diplomatic policy for quantum information science, including in the field of quantum cryptography, navigation and timing, spectrum, imaging, and detection; sensors and computing. (5) Performing such other duties as the Under Secretary for International Security Affairs may from time to time designate.