The U.S.’s top counterintelligence official thinks America’s status as a global superpower relies on protecting its lead on five key technologies.

The National Counterintelligence and Security Center’s acting director, Michael Orlando, said that foreign theft of America’s technologies could put the nation’s ability to remain active in the tech industry at risk. In order to prevent such an incident, the counterintelligence will conduct an outreach campaign to educate businesses and academia about the expansive efforts by China and Russia to collect cutting-edge research, the Wall Street Journal reported last month.

The five key technologies identified are artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, bioscience, quantum computing, and semiconductors. Officials claim that America’s rivals are trying to legally and illegally steal every one of them, which could hinder future economic growth and military dominance.

If the U.S. loses its power, “It could be severe," Orlando said. He added, "We’ve got to focus on these industries because we can’t afford to lose them.”

The NCSC reported that “these sectors produce technologies that may determine whether America remains the world’s leading superpower or is eclipsed by strategic competitors in the next few years.”

As part of their new priorities, the counterintelligence agency will start more aggressive outreach to industry and universities to educate them on how some business deals with foreign governments may be dangerous to the country, CNBC noted.

“People are having trouble understanding the bigger picture here and the ways that legal and illegal come together,” Orlando said.

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