The Atlantic Council Technology Programs comprises five existing efforts—the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the GeoTech Center, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, the Democracy + Tech Initiative, and the Capacity Building Initiative. These operations work together to address the geopolitical implications of technology and provide policymakers and global stakeholders necessary research, insights, and convenings to address challenges around global technology and ensure its responsible advancement.

Content

Canada flag waving in Ottawa.

Issue Brief

Mar 27, 2025

Canada needs an economic statecraft strategy to address its vulnerabilities

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf

To address threats from Russia and China and reduce trade overdependence on the United States, Canada’s federal government will need to consolidate economic power and devise an economic statecraft strategy that will leverage Canada’s economic tools to mitigate economic threats and vulnerabilities.

China Cybersecurity

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

Inside Defense reports on the Commission on Software-Defined Warfare final report

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, Theresa Maher of Inside Defense published an article highlighting the key recommendations from Forward Defense’s Commission on Software-Defined Warfare report.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

DefenseNews reports on Commission on Software-Defined Warfare final report

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, Courtney Albon of DefenseNews published an article analyzing the defense industry’s response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent directive on software acquisition, highlighting Forward Defense's Commission on Software-Defined Warfare report as a key framework for understanding the broader reforms required.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

Cartwright and Kandasamy in COTS Journal on the Commission on Software-Defined Warfare

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, COTS Journal published an article by Gen James “Hoss” Cartwright, USMC (ret.) and Jags Kandasamy, Commissioners on Forward Defense’s Commission on Software-Defined Warfare, highlighting key recommendations from the Commission’s final report.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

Exclusive on Atlantic Council Commission on Software-Defined Warfare final report published in Axios

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, Colin Demarest of Axios published an exclusive on the Pentagon's software-hardware balance and featured Forward Defense's Commision on Software-Defined Warfare report.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Mar 25, 2025

Ukraine’s growing military strength is an underrated factor in peace talks

By Serhii Kuzan

Any discussion on the future course of the war against Russia and the terms of any peace deal must take into account the fact that Ukraine is a now major military power in its own right, writes Serhii Kuzan.

Conflict Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2025

Starlink’s India launch is a crash course on New Delhi’s approach to tech sovereignty

By Trisha Ray

A recently announced partnership to deploy the Elon Musk-led company’s satellite internet in India offers a window into New Delhi’s “hybrid” approach.

Economy & Business India

In the News

Mar 24, 2025

Rodriguez, Shanahan, and Sweatt cut into the stakes and opportunities of software-defined warfare on All Quiet on the Second Front podcast

By Atlantic Council

On March 24, Stephen Rodriguez, senior advisor at Forward Defense and director of FD's Commission on Software-Defined Warfare was a featured guest alongside Lt Gen Jack Shanahan on the podcast All Quiet on the Second Front, hosted by Tyler Sweatt.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2025

Four critical questions (and expert answers) about Trump’s new critical minerals executive order

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

On March 20, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to increase crucial mineral production in the United States. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Mar 21, 2025

To win the AI race, the US needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy

By Joseph Webster

To ensure US AI leadership, the United States must harness all forms of energy, allow a level playing field, and remove red tape constraining the buildout of critical enablers, especially transmission lines and grid enhancing technologies.

Artificial Intelligence China

Experts

Events