Hans Jonas’s concept of the “short arm” of predictive knowledge highlights a major limitation in our ability to foresee the long-term consequences of emerging technologies. When applying this to the development of cyber-policy and infrastructure, it becomes clear that traditional reactive models are no longer sufficient. Cyber threats evolve faster than our regulations, and by the time we understand the full implications, the damage may already be done.

Dealing with uncertainty, our approach should prioritize precaution and resilience. Cyber-policy must be guided by the ethical principle of responsibility, emphasizing harm prevention over technological optimism. So, we need to have flexibility in policies to allow for quick adaptation when new risks surface. Also, a greater investment in research that explores the potential societal impacts of cybersecurity tools and AI-based decision-making before their wide-scale deployment.

Additionally, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. Predictive knowledge in cyber policy is limited not just by technical gaps but by blind spots in how technologies affect social systems. By integrating insights from ethics, sociology, and political science into cybersecurity planning, we can better anticipate unintended consequences.

Our policies must reflect humility: we cannot predict everything, but we can prepare responsibly.