I spent last weekend at the Munich Security Conference. It is a huge event, covering a wide range of issues; I was there as Chair of the UK Parliament’s Science Innovation and Technology Select Committee so focused on science, tech and defence, particularly tech sovereignty, defence spending and science diplomacy. Here are my five key takeaways:
- The speed of militarisation of innovation is astounding
Many technology advances start in the private sector then adapted for military use or simply bought straight from business – AI, drones, quantum are examples. As one speaker noted, “the complete digitalisation of the battlefield is now a reality.” Defence procurement needs to move from buy then test to test then buy. Countries are looking to the private-sector capital to close the funding gap.
- The trust gap is there, it is significant and sovereignty discussions are a symptom
Although US speakers emphasised closeness with Europe, the new paradigm has clearly been integrated into European thinking. There was much talk of what sovereignty means: a layered control ‘stack’ approach is helpful but is control needed at every layer? Tech companies argued that European systems integrators could deliver control, but the Musk question – what if someone turns off an essential component – remains, particularly as software is so dependent on access to updates. The launch of the Trusted Tech Alliance 17 tech companies from four continents – is an effort to restore trust in tech through transparency and shared values.
- Multiple industrial and geopolitical revolutions at once
A data revolution, an AI automation revolution, and geopolitical restructuring across different dimensions (Europe–US, Global South–Russia/China, Europe–Russia). The implications are not yet understood, but defence spending, regulation, investment and science diplomacy are clearly impacted.
- Europe needs to change
The EU is not designed to be a military or even political power – Europe even less so. Europe spends 2-3 times more than Russia on defence, but it has too many platforms, meaning spend and its impact is spread too thinly. Yet Europe is hugely influential: GDPR, much maligned and much criticised, is now the global standard for privacy. EU AI regulation is also much maligned, but this year three US states have begun to implement AI regulation. Europe cannot compete with Big Tech on sunk costs in AI, but it can have second mover advantage.
- Science diplomacy
Science diplomacy is increasingly seen through the lens of security rather than scientific freedom. There is emphasis on anticipatory science diplomacy: what does your research mean for society in 5-10 years? There are many examples of initiatives: the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) recently published its checklist for Knowledge Security, NATO has its Science for Peace and security hub. It was emphasised that humanities collaboration may not have the same security implications.