Israel and the United States have announced the beginning of a strategic partnership in the field of advanced technology, that will put Israel shoulder-to-shoulder with its leading ally, the United States.
A strategic high-level dialogue on technology will be established by the countries' national security advisers and will focus on strategic technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum, and solutions to global challenges such as climate change and improving pandemic preparedness.
Ahead of the visit by US President Joe Biden, the President and the Prime Minister have issued a joint statement announcing the establishment of a Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology under the leadership of the national security advisers, in order to significantly enhance their strategic partnership in cutting-edge technologies.
In the declaration, the leaders express their commitment to deepening bilateral engagements, strengthening their mutual innovation ecosystems, advancing critical emerging technologies, finding innovative solutions to global challenges, and promoting a shared agenda in the global arena.
The initial American delegation for advancing the Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology is expected to visit Israel in the coming months in order to discuss joint initiatives in artificial intelligence, quantum, dealing with climate change, and improving pandemic preparedness.
The goal of the joint declaration is to express the special relationship between the US and Israel, anchor the partnership between the two countries, and position Israel alongside its leading ally the US in the field of technology, which tops the international agenda. The joint declaration also affirms the two countries' commitment to expanding cooperation in additional fields and dealing with technological challenges as a basis for the integration of significant forces that will shape the coming decade.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said: "This joint announcement puts Israel at the forefront of global innovation and solidifies its status as a leading technological power. Our vision for one million people in hi-tech begins with international cooperation that will bring new opportunities for the hi-tech sector in Israel."
The issues that have been selected are:
Pandemic preparedness – exploring cooperative technology R&D ventures, including technology for disease surveillance and early warning, and for rapid medical countermeasure responses (within 60-90 days).
Climate – cooperative R&D ventures and/or deploying technologies to drive equitable climate solutions (e.g., water reuse, solid waste management, clean and renewable energy). The main goal is to develop tools capable of having an impact on the global climate crisis.
Artificial intelligence – cooperation on AI technologies in transportation, medicine, agriculture, regulation, and public sector ethics.
Quantum – cooperation in the field of quantum information science.
It should be emphasized that Israel will be the fourth country (after Great Britain, Australia, and Japan) that has a similar partnership with the US in the fields of AI and quantum. This is indicative of Israel's economic resilience and its status as a leading country in the fields of technology and innovation.
