Official Welcome - 14:00 – 14:05 (to About | to Livestreaming | to Summary)
Robert Vass – President, GLOBSEC (bio here)
Keynote - 14:05 – 14:20 (to About | to Livestreaming | to Summary)
NATO 2030: Preparing Today to Maintain Our Technological Edge Tomorrow
Ambassador Mircea Geoană – Deputy Secretary-General, NATO (bio here)
Reaction comments from Robert Vass
Showcase Presentation on AI in Warfare with Dr Herbert Lin - 14:20 – 14:35 (to About | to Livestreaming | to Summary)
Dr Herbert Lin – Senior Research Scholar, Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) and Hank J. Holland Fellow in Cyber Policy and Security at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University (bio here)
Panel One - 14:35 – 15:35 (to About | to Livestreaming | to Summary)
The Future of AI: Bridging the Knowledge and Capability Gap
Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a new technology, the consequences of AI-automated systems on the conduct of future operations and conflict, in general, are yet to be fully understood. NATO seeks to address these questions and also to prepare for the potential threats posed by malign actors in possession of such high-tech capabilities. By bringing together a diverse set of stakeholders, NATO can deepen its understanding of what tools and levers are available within the Alliance in order to help bridge the gaps in AI development on both sides of the Atlantic.
- On AI, is there a knowledge gap between the private and public sector? How can NATO, in dialogue with the private sector, help bridge it?
- How can NATO, together with the private sector, address gaps and convergences in AI development and governance across the Atlantic?
- How do the regulatory frameworks in the EU, US, and elsewhere contribute to the ethical use of AI? What convergences and divergences do we see? Can NATO facilitate convergence?
- How can the Alliance raise awareness about the opportunity for defence investment in AI tools to close these gaps? What does the private sector see as priorities and opportunities for Alliance action in this domain?
Speakers
Mike Hunter – Co-Founder & CEO, FUSE AI (bio here)
Eva A. Kaili – MEP; Chair, Center for Artificial Intelligence; Chair, Delegation to the NATO PA in the EP (bio here)
Anett Numa – Digital Transformation Advisor, e-Estonia (bio here)
David van Weel – Assistant Secretary-General for Emerging Security Challenges, NATO (bio here)
Led by: Eline Chivot – Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Data Innovation (bio here)
Panel Two - 15:40 – 16:40 (to About | to Livestreaming | to Summary)
The Private Sector, Big and Small
Cooperation with the private sector is more vital than ever, as the Alliance continues to address security vulnerabilities posed by digital espionage, foreign investment, supply chain interference, and private sector-controlled information forums such as online social media platforms. Reaching NATO’s 2030 objectives will require public-private partnerships, with large corporate actors as well as SMEs. These partnerships must be built on shared goals for mitigating threats and creating a safer security environment, both online and in traditional military operational domains.
- How can the private sector enable governments and multilateral organizations such as NATO to buy smarter in defence?
- Could cooperation between NATO and the private sector help to increase societal, economic, or defence resilience?
- How can innovative ideas from start-ups and SMEs be leveraged to contribute to building capabilities for the Alliance’s defence and security needs?
Speakers
Camille Grand – Assistant Secretary-General for Defence Investment, NATO (bio here)
Dex Hunter-Torricke – Tech Advisor (bio here)
Palo Luka – Chief Operating Officer, ESET (bio here)
Didier Ongena – Managing Director Belux, Microsoft (bio here)
Led by: Maithreyi Seetharaman – Founder & CEO, Facultas Media (bio here)
Showcase Presentation on AI and Big Data with Dr Ana Isabel Barros - 16:40 – 16:50 (to About | to Livestreaming | to Summary)
Dr Ana Isabel Barros – Principal Scientist, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
(TNO); Scientific Representative at the NATO research platform on System Analysis and Studies (bio here)
Conversation with General John R. Allen & Ambassador Baiba Braže - 16:50 – 17:10 (to About | to Livestreaming | to Summary)
Preparing for Still-Emerging Technologies
AI is already a well-developed concept and a well-understood technological tool, but what about technology that allies have less experience with? The Alliance must take steps now to ensure it is equipped to tackle future challenges posed by still-emerging technologies, such as Hypersonic Weapons, BDAA, Quantum and Nanotechnologies, and Autonomous Systems, which could transform the nature of warfare as we know it. Developments in other areas, e.g. the growth of the anti-sniper detection systems market, also pose challenges and opportunities for NATO. How can partnerships with and insight from the private sector assist in NATO’s preparation for the latest trends in innovation?
- When considering disruptive and emerging technologies, such as Hypersonic Weapons, BDAA, Quantum and Nanotechnologies, and Autonomous Systems, which of these pose a threat and which of these present an opportunity for the Alliance to increase defence and security?
- How can we work to ensure future interoperability now?
- How might emerging and new disruptive technology impact NATO’s thinking – and overall strategy – towards potential threats from specifically Russia, China, or elsewhere?
- As the primary creators and distributors of new and emerging technologies, what role does the private sector – but in particular the tech sector – have in supporting the Alliance? And importantly, how to the norms which undergird the transatlantic relationship factor into engagement with these increasingly powerful transnational actors?
Speakers
General John R. Allen – President, Brookings Institution (bio here)
Ambassador Baiba Braže – Assistant Secretary-General for Public Diplomacy, NATO (bio here)
Panel Three - 17:15 – 18:15 (to About | to Livestreaming | to Summary)
Innovation Ecosystems and Venture Capital’s Role in Allied Defence and Security
In order to maintain a comparative advantage with regard to emerging and new disruptive technologies, NATO must prioritize creativity and capital. Venture capital represents a unique arena for gaining insights and harnessing existing capabilities within the private sector as the race to adopt and integrate new technology into societies presses onward. At the same time, Allied public sectors have been developing innovation ecosystems, including novel financing mechanisms, for start-ups. How might NATO take into account these developments in order to build and maintain a resilient innovation pipeline for the Alliance?
- How could NATO and Allies work to ensure safe financing for start-ups?
- How can venture capital firms play a role in innovation through assisting in the acquisition process?
- How could we envisage greater coordination and cooperation between Allied defence innovation accelerator programmes and other innovation ecosystem support mechanisms, including financing and investment solutions?
Speakers
Robert Murray – Head of Innovation Unit, NATO (bio here)
Nicholas Nelson – Director of Strategic Development, ST Engineering North America; Fellow, CEPA (bio here)
Dr Silvija Seres – CEO, LØRN.TECH; Member of NATO’s Advisory Group on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (bio here)
Led by: Patrick Tucker – Technology Editor, Defense One (bio here)
Closing Remarks
John Barter – CEO, GLOBSEC (bio here)
