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

In the News

Sep 25, 2025

Daniels weighs the consequences of the US-China AI Race on Network 20/20

By Atlantic Council

On September 17, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Owen Daniels was featured on the Network 20/20 Virtual Briefing Series alongside Janet Egan and Sam Winter-Levy.

Artificial Intelligence China

GeoTech Cues

Sep 24, 2025

Global perspectives on AI and digital trust ahead of the Swiss e-ID referendum

By Coley Felt

Both artificial intelligence and digital identity systems are increasingly shaping the future of how governments approach inclusion, equity, security, and interoperability in the digital age.

Artificial Intelligence Digital Policy

UkraineAlert

Sep 23, 2025

Putin is escalating Russia’s hybrid war against Europe. Is Europe ready?

By Maksym Beznosiuk

Putin has clearly been encouraged by Trump’s efforts to downgrade America’s involvement in transatlantic security and feels emboldened to escalate his own hybrid war against Europe, writes Maksym Beznosiuk.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Sep 18, 2025

Putin’s Polish probe demands decisive response to restore NATO deterrence

By Zahar Hryniv

Putin’s recent drone escalation in the skies over Poland is an unmistakable signal that NATO’s credibility is under threat. Western leaders must now respond decisively to deter further Russian aggression, writes Zahar Hryniv.

Conflict Drones

In the News

Sep 18, 2025

Cole discusses the role of fictional intelligence and technological prediction with War on the Rocks

On September 17, August Cole, a nonresident fellow at Forward Defense, and P.W. Singer were interviewed by War on the Rocks, reflecting on the technological predictions of their 2015 book Ghost Fleet. They highlighted the use of fictional writing for exploring future military and technological scenarios.

Conflict Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Sep 18, 2025

How AI with ‘nurtured consciousness’ could transform warfare

By John James and Alia Brahimi

New technologies have the potential to turn an information advantage into a conscious advantage, helping determine who has strategic dominance in the twenty-first century.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Sep 16, 2025

Ukraine’s skies are Europe’s first line of defense against Russian drones

By Alina Zubkovych

As NATO leaders respond to Russia's recent drone incursion into Poland, they should recognize that Ukraine's skies are now European first line of defense against Putin's growing drone fleet, writes Alina Zubkovych.

Conflict Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Sep 16, 2025

Only Ukraine can teach NATO how to combat Putin’s growing drone fleet

By David Kirichenko

NATO must urgently learn from Ukraine's unique experience of Russian drone warfare as the alliance seeks to address the growing threats posed by Putin's drone swarms, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2025

The Americas are falling behind in new agricultural technologies. Here’s how to catch up.

By Ginger Matchett, Peter Engelke

If the United States and other countries in the Western Hemisphere hope to maintain their competitiveness, then governments should find ways to advance research and development.

Americas Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Sep 12, 2025

Trustworthy digital identities can set the standards for secure benefits provision in the US

By Ananya Kumar

The proliferation of online services necessitates verifiable digital IDs globally. While they can improve convenience and reduce fraud in benefits provision, they raise privacy concerns and surveillance risks. This paper examines US digital identity challenges, analyzes EU and Japan implementations, and provides policy recommendations for responsible digital ID development in the US.

Cybersecurity Digital Currencies

Experts