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

GeoTech Cues

Aug 18, 2025

How the Chip Security Act could usher in an era of ‘trusted trade’ with US partners

By Kit Conklin

If implemented effectively, a bipartisan bill could help counter the illicit transshipment and diversion of artificial intelligence chips to US adversaries.

Artificial Intelligence
Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Aug 15, 2025

Talking past each other: Why the US-EU dispute over ‘free speech’ is set to escalate

By Kenneth Propp

Republican-led US lawmakers and the White House are likely just getting started in critiquing the European Union’s Digital Services Act.

European Union
Internet

Strategic Insights Memo

Aug 14, 2025

A marketplace for mission-ready AI: Accelerating capability delivery to the Pentagon

By Jack Long, Bharat C. Patel, and Jags Kandasamy

The Department of Defense’s traditional AI procurement often delivers models that quickly become outdated. This memo proposes creating a performance-driven AI model marketplace—where vendors train models on a shared “data lake” and are paid only for real-world usage—ensuring faster delivery, continuous innovation, and mission-ready capabilities at scale.

Artificial Intelligence
Defense Industry

In the News

Aug 8, 2025

Ullman in The Wall Street Journal on the strategy of military technology

On August 8, Atlantic Council Senior Advisor Harlan Ullman published an op-ed in the Hill on the strategy of military technology. He argues that technology alone will not be sufficient to counter the military power of both China and Russia.

Security & Defense
Technology & Innovation

UkraineAlert

Aug 7, 2025

Ukraine’s expanding robot army can help address manpower shortages

By David Kirichenko

Robotic systems are in many ways an ideal battlefield solution for Ukraine as the country seeks ways to leverage its proven tech prowess in order to defend itself in a grueling war of attrition against a far larger enemy, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict
Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2025

Reading between the lines of the dueling US and Chinese AI action plans

By Atlantic Council experts

Washington and Beijing recently released plans for advancing artificial intelligence. Atlantic Council experts answer six big questions about the two publications.

Artificial Intelligence
China

UkraineAlert

Aug 5, 2025

Digital democracy is the key to staging wartime elections in Ukraine

By Brian Mefford

With no end in sight to Russia's invasion, Ukraine cannot afford to postpone all elections indefinitely. With this in mind, it is time to start the process of digitalizing Ukraine’s democracy, writes Brian Mefford.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Aug 4, 2025

What could NATO’s commercial space strategy mean for the Gulf?  

By Manal Fatima

The United States is well positioned to help extend NATO’s emerging commercial space ecosystem to the Gulf.

Europe & Eurasia
Space

In the News

Aug 4, 2025

Daniels interviewed by BBC on AI Action Plan

By Atlantic Council

On July 23, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Owen Daniels was interviewed by Sumi Somaskanda on BBC News regarding the administration's latest AI Action Plan.

Artificial Intelligence
Defense Industry

In the News

Aug 4, 2025

Daniels publishes article on China’s soft power strategy in AI in Foreign Affairs

By Atlantic Council

On July 25, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Owen Daniels published an article, “China’s Overlooked AI Strategy: Beijing Is Using Soft Power to Gain Global Dominance,” in Foreign Affairs.

Artificial Intelligence
China

Experts

Events