The World in a New Digital Era

Ludwig Decamps General Manager, NCI Agency

I am pleased to present the eighth edition of the NATO Innovation and Technology (NITECH) publication. Technology is at the forefront of all conversations as the world embarks on a digital transformation journey. Technology is the heartbeat that keeps Alliance decisionmaking running, and the NCI Agency has always been – and continues to be – a vital enabler of this.

The NCI Agency’s role is to ensure that NATO not only keeps pace with technological advances, but establishes itself as a leader. As part of the 2022-2026 Strategic Objectives, the Agency has expressed its commitment to furthering collaboration and partnerships. This publication is a prime opportunity to hear from different elements of NATO about innovation and technology. Once again, NATO leaders and Allies have come together to offer their insights and expertise, highlighting the value of NITECH.

Not only does NITECH connect all NATO elements, it also enables us to engage in a dialogue with external partners to promote collaboration among NATO agencies, Nations, Commands, industry, not-for-profits and academia. NATO thrives as a result of these connections. Trust and understanding are imperative to achieving this goal, and this publication seeks to build this through an open dialogue with all of our partners.

ADDRESSING INSTABILITY IN EUROPE

It has been a historic year for the NCI Agency as we celebrated our 10th anniversary and held the first-ever NATO Edge conference, among many other incredible achievements by our staff. The Agency has been pivotal in supporting the Alliance in managing the continued geopolitical uncertainty. Support to NATO’s deterrence and defence posture remains our highest priority.

The 67-year legacy of the Agency has prepared us to meet the needs of the Alliance to ensure that NATO can function wherever staff are operating. The Agency remains adaptable and ready to support the rapidly evolving requirements for Operations and Exercises.

#WEARENATO

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NITECH ››› FOREWORD When we were planning the first of our new flagship event, NATO Edge, we had no idea that there would be war in Europe. What we did know was that whatever challenge the Alliance may face, technology would play a key role in finding solutions, and so that is why we put a focus on technology.

EMPOWERING NATO’S TECHNOLOGICAL EDGE

When focusing on technology, emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs) are at the top of the agenda, including artificial intelligence (AI) and data. EDTs are a crucial facet of the NATO 2030 agenda. Thus, the Agency continues to work closely with relevant partners in academia and the private sector to maintain NATO’s technological edge and military superiority.

It is important to remember that EDTs, while providing new opportunities for NATO militaries, helping them become more effective, resilient, cost-efficient and sustainable, also present risks for NATO and Allies. It is the Agency’s job to understand and mitigate these risks to ensure that the Alliance remains ready to face tomorrow’s challenges.

The path towards the establishment of a fully digital NATO is complex. NATO’s digital transformation vision is ambitious, though realistic. Collectively, we need to make sure we set the right foundations to establish a solid NATO digital context.

This edition boasts a host of impressive and thoughtprovoking articles from the likes of Dr Luis Astorga, Chair, of the Agency Supervisory Board, who offers a comprehensive introduction, as well as a lead article by the newly appointed Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, on how his organization supports deterrence. Portugal’s Minister of Defence, Helena Carreiras, discusses the role of the NCI Academy in Oeiras, and you can get an in-depth look at the very successful first installment of the NCI Agency’s new flagship event in the NATO Edge review. Meet the NATO Innovation Challenge Winners and learn more about their groundbreaking work on Non-Visible Data. Finally, don’t miss the interview with Dr Alice Toniolo of St Andrews’ School of Computer Science on AI for Intelligence Analysts. This issue is a great read!

When creating NITECH, we aim to show you the remarkable depth and breadth of technical expertise at the Agency and across the Alliance. This edition is no exception. Without further ado, happy reading and thank you for your continued support and engagement with the NCI Agency.

Ludwig Decamps behind the scenes at the first NATO Edge event (PHOTO: NCI Agency)

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