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Dictionary termTrack DStablev2026.2

Sensitive technology

A technology area designated by national authorities as having potential national security, economic security, or strategic significance, warranting heightened due diligence and protective measures in research and innovation activities.

ByCASRAI Editorial Board
· Last updated 21 May 2026

Examples

Worked examples

  • Is an instance

    A proposal involving quantum sensing for navigation triggers an institutional sensitive technology review.

  • Is an instance

    A graduate student's project involving advanced biotechnology is flagged for due diligence on foreign affiliations of collaborators.

Counter-examples

Looks similar, but isn't

  • Not an instance

    A study of historical literature is not subject to sensitive technology review.

  • Not an instance

    Standard mathematics research with no immediate application typically falls outside sensitive technology designations.

Editorial commentary

Sensitive technology lists vary by jurisdiction but commonly include advanced semiconductors, quantum information science, advanced biotechnology, advanced materials, hypersonics, and certain artificial intelligence applications. National authorities such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia maintain published lists that inform research security review, export control determinations, and visa screening. Designation as sensitive does not preclude research; it triggers risk assessment and, where applicable, controls.

References

  • CHIPS and Science Act (2022); UK National Security and Investment Act; Canada Sensitive Technology Research Areas List (2024).

Also known as

sensitive technology area · STA · critical technology

Machine-readable encodings

Use in your systems

JATS XML <role> element
xml
<role vocab="credit"
      vocab-identifier="https://casrai.org/dictionary/"
      vocab-term="Sensitive technology"
      vocab-term-identifier="https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/sensitive-technology" />
Schema.org DefinedTerm (JSON-LD)
json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "DefinedTerm",
  "@id": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/sensitive-technology",
  "name": "Sensitive technology",
  "identifier": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/sensitive-technology",
  "description": "A technology area designated by national authorities as having potential national security, economic security, or strategic significance, warranting heightened due diligence and protective measures in research and innovation activities.",
  "inDefinedTermSet": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/domain/research-security#set",
  "url": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/sensitive-technology",
  "sameAs": [
    "sensitive technology area",
    "STA",
    "critical technology"
  ],
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "publisher": {
    "@id": "https://casrai.org/#organization"
  },
  "dateModified": "2026-05-21T02:22:53",
  "inLanguage": "en"
}

Referenced across the research world

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