INTRODUCTION
NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept, signed at the historic Madrid Summit following the Russian Federation's aggression of Ukraine, recognized for the first time in a NATO roadmap the risks and opportunities for international security posed by emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs). The text highlighted how the latter are altering the character of conflict, acquiring greater strategic importance and becoming key arenas of global competition. In Madrid and subsequent NATO meetings and summits, emphasis was placed on the commitment to enhancing the Alliance's technological edge while remaining true to its core values and objectives.
The Safer Tomorrow: Security Starts with YOU(TH) Initiative was launched on the sidelines of the Madrid Summit to promote knowledge generation and cultural awareness on these vital issues. In particular, the program seeks to engage the younger generations in the debate, in the belief that without their participation, any planning and foresight excercises on our security would be rendered futile.
The key component of the initiative is a Student Challenge in which we have asked students from around the world to reflect on the defense-technology nexus and to come up with actionable proposals, led by NATO, for improving future peace and security conditions worldwide.
The Student Challenge invites students enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD program at any academic institution worldwide to reflect on how NATO should respond to tomorrow's security challenges, taking into account the risks and opportunities posed by Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs).
In particular, the Challenge asks students to provide one concrete recommendation for one of the areas of interest in the NATO agenda:
First, how can NATO establish itself as the leader in responsible use of EDTs? NATO considers principles of responsible use at the forefront of its strategy and policy work on EDTs. This is endorsed through its “Foster and Protect: NATO’s Coherent Implementation Strategy on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies,” an overarching plan to guide the Alliance’s relationship to nine priority technology areas, including: AI, data, autonomy, quantum, biotechnology, hypersonic, space, novel materials and manufacturing, and energy and propulsion.
Second, what should NATO’s role be in the ongoing global technological race? Emerging and disruptive technologies are increasingly touching all aspects of life. These technologies are also having a profound impact on security. Today, NATO is in a race to maintain its technological edge. Adversaries and competitors are investing in and developing EDTs, which have the potential to have an outsized impact on society and the potential to change the future course of humanity.
Third, how can NATO promote the adoption of green technologies in its climate and innovation policy agenda? With the alarming acceleration of global warming and weather extremes across the globe, Allied Heads of State have set in motion a new climate agenda to address how this overarching challenge will measurably increase risks to security and defense. In parallel, NATO is operationalizing an ambitious agenda on EDTs, addressing how innovation poses both opportunities and risks in the way NATO operates.
Student Proposals
The CGC received an impressive array of proposals from university students worldwide. These submissions underwent an anonymization process before being dispatched to an internal jury within IE University, who chose six finalists basing their assessments on criteria such as innovation, relevance, feasibility, and the potential positive impact on society.
Below you can find a summary of the proposals for NATO made by the six finalists to the student challenge. To read their recommendations in full, please download the policy brief above.
An AI Planning Group
Quynh Dinh, IE University (Winner Bachelor's Category)
In order to establish itself as the leader in responsible use of AI, NATO should authorize the creation of an AI Planning Group (AIPG) to govern the use of AI in support of the Alliance’s three core tasks: collective defense, crisis management, and cooperative security. By centralizing AI policies, introducing standard agreements, and enforcing responsible use principles, an AIPG’s would promote interoperability, expedite technological advancements, and foster trust internationally. Moreover, AIPG's engagement with the private tech sector and academia would not only mitigate potential risks associated with AI deployment but also strengthen NATO's collaboration with cutting-edge AI expertise.
How can NATO establish itself as the leader in responsible use of EDTs?Unmanned, green technologies
Giancarlo Da-Ré, University of Toronto (Winner in the Master's Category)
NATO should use its procurement power to promote the adoption of unmanned, green technologies for surveillance and early warning systems. These technologies can enhance NATO's ability to gather reliable intelligence and improve response times, particularly in geographically challenging environments. By leveraging these technologies, NATO can enhance stability, address the threats posed by climate change, and fulfill its core tasks of collective defense, crisis management, and cooperative security. The use of sustainable technologies also aligns with the fight against climate change by reducing NATO's own emissions and encouraging supplier sustainability, while benefiting society and international security by improving decision-making and response capabilities during crises.
How can NATO promote the adoption of green technologies in its climate and innovation policy agenda?A Deep-Sea Mining Strategy
Kylar Cade, IE University
As part of the ongoing global technological race, NATO must develop a maritime security strategy to address the deep-sea mining (DSM) activities of Allied, Partner, and non-aligned countries. DSM is critical to achieving NATO's 2030 Agenda because it is cross-cutting: it is a source of critical minerals to advance AI, manufacturing, energy, and other emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT). Moreover, China dominates the critical minerals industry and DSM, and there is a need to reduce Western dependence on critical minerals from China or actors that could use their natural endowments or narrow interests to harm Allied interests or affect the global economy. NATO involvement could: (1) enforce international environmental norms related to the extraction of undersea nodules, and (2) ensure that foreign military vessels do not use legitimate
What should NATO’s role be in the ongoing global technological race?International Panel of Experts
Gustav Christensson, Swedish Defence University
The influence and importance of EDTs extends to both military and normative concerns, as evidenced by the paradigmatic challenges to our rules-based international order. In this context, NATO should use its normative advantage to steer the issue of EDTs towards global agreements and regulations. By establishing a regional platform and an independent international panel of experts, NATO can enhance oversight and transparency in the development and military use of EDTs, address risks, and promote cooperation. This will strengthen global security and uphold the rules-based order.
How can NATO establish itself as the leader in responsible use of EDTs?Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Noel Ang, King's College London
NATO can advance its climate and innovation agenda through the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) to achieve energy resilience in both the civilian and military sectors, while introducing a host of positive externalities that further benefit each member state. SMRs offer greater energy density, resilience and lower cost than other renewable energy sources at this stage, being a more mature technology. This helps meet the growing energy needs of each NATO member and reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, the supply and price of which are inherently volatile. It offers important societal and international security benefits as nations become more energy self-sufficient, while providing affordable clean energy that helps stimulate economic growth.
How can NATO promote the adoption of green technologies in its climate and innovation policy agenda?Denuclearization of Hypersonic Technology VIKTOR HALD NIELSEN
Viktor Hald Nielsen, Roskilde University
It is necessary for NATO to take steps to denuclearize the emerging field of hypersonic technology. Without arms control treaties, hypersonic technology may increase the risk of unintended nuclear escalation or unnecessary retaliation. NATO can act responsibly by negotiating arms control treaties and adopting internal policies to reduce this risk. By being vigilant in its use of this emerging technology, NATO can build the architecture necessary to ensure our collective security against the most fundamental threat to society: nuclear annihilation.
What should NATO’s role be in the ongoing global technological race?
