AI is a central force shaping geopolitical power imbalances, increasingly becoming an integral part of national security planning and fueling intense competition for technological supremacy and economic dominance among nation-states. AI development is rapidly accelerating with the promise of improving the human condition on a global scale, but with the risks and vulnerabilities that accompany algorithmic decision-making in high-stakes settings.
To explore critical issues related to terrorism and war through AI, emerging defense applications and governance frameworks that ensure transparency and accountability, on December 11, the Northwest Security and AI Laboratory (NSAIL) brought together leading experts in AI, cybersecurity and national security for the annual edition Conference on AI and National Security. More than 130 participants came virtually from 13 different countries, and nearly 100 participants from across the University and several different sectors and industries in the Chicago area joined in person.
While AI offers enormous promise, it also requires vigilance, ethical foresight and international collaboration. Northwestern Vice President of Research
“AI is changing our world,” said Eric J. Perreaultvice president of research at Northwestern, in his keynote address. “Nowhere is this more true than in the realm of national and global security. Whether stealing sensitive information, disrupting critical services, or spreading disinformation, we are seeing an increase in the number, scale, and impact of cyberthreats around the world. While AI holds tremendous promise, it also requires vigilance, ethical foresight, and international collaboration.”
