The Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) is a first of its kind organization with technical and policy expertise on disinformation, connective technologies, democracy, and the future of digital rights. Incubated at the Atlantic Council in 2016, the DFRLab has conducted over 1,000 investigations exposing influence operations and emerging digital threats worldwide.

With a team rooted in diverse regional expertise and subject-matter knowledge, the DFRLab works to promote digital resilience, defend democratic institutions, and ensure that objective fact remains central to public discourse in an increasingly contested information space.

Read the DFRLab’s latest case studies, learn about our initiatives, and more at DFRLab.org

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Programs

The Democracy + Tech Initiative creates policy practices that align global stakeholders toward tech and governance that reinforces, rather than undermines, open societies. It builds on the DFRLab’s established track record and leadership in the open-source field, empowering global communities to promote transparency and accountability online and around the world.

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.

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From the archives

Experts

Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 30, 2025

Microsoft President Brad Smith pledges to safeguard the company’s operations in Europe—and respect Europe’s laws

By Katherine Golden

Smith, at an Atlantic Council Front Page event, debuted Microsoft's five new commitments to help Europe navigate geopolitical volatility.

European Union
Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

Apr 23, 2025

How the US retreat from the UN endangers the future of internet governance

By Konstantinos Komaitis

A recent meeting of an obscure United Nations body reveals how the Trump administration is challenging decades of consensus-based work on internet development.

Internet
Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2025

Exposing Pravda: How pro-Kremlin forces are poisoning AI models and rewriting Wikipedia

By Valentin Châtelet

Our investigation explores how Russia is weaponizing Wikipedia and artificial intelligence chatbots to expand its global malign influence campaign.

Disinformation
Europe & Eurasia

Report

Mar 10, 2025

Emerging technology policies and democracy in Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zambia in focus

By Ayantola Alayande, Samuel Segun, and Leah Junck

How are African nations navigating the governance of AI, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies? Emerging Technology Policies and Democracy in Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zambia in Focus examines how five key countries are shaping regulatory frameworks to drive innovation, protect digital rights, and bridge policy gaps in an evolving tech landscape.

Africa
Artificial Intelligence

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2025

What DeepSeek’s breakthrough says (and doesn’t say) about the ‘AI race’ with China

By Kenton Thibaut

DeepSeek’s achievement has not exactly undermined the United States’ export control strategy, but it does bring up important questions about the broader US strategy on AI.

Artificial Intelligence
China

Fast Thinking

Jan 10, 2025

What the world can do about Maduro

By Atlantic Council experts

As the Venezuelan autocrat is inaugurated for a third term as president, our experts analyze what the United States, the region, and the opposition can do.

Democratic Transitions
Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Jan 9, 2025

Your expert guide to the debate over banning TikTok 

By Atlantic Council experts

As the US Supreme Court takes up the case, our experts outline the competing arguments over whether the US should ban TikTok on national security grounds.

China
Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2025

The Atlantic Council’s greatest hits of 2024

By Frederick Kempe

These articles, reports, initiatives, and convenings represent the best of the Atlantic Council’s work in 2024 to shape the global future together with allies and partners.

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2024

Donald Trump just won the presidency. Our experts answer the big questions about what that means for America’s role in the world.

By Atlantic Council experts

When Trump returns to the presidency on January 20 next year, a number of global challenges will be awaiting him. Our experts outline what to expect.

Conflict
Economy & Business

Fast Thinking

Nov 5, 2024

What to know about foreign meddling in the US election

By Atlantic Council

Our experts explain the foreign malign interference operations targeting the 2024 US elections and how they might continue after Election Day.

China
Cybersecurity