NATO Deputy Secretary General in the United States: innovators are key to meet emerging security threats

As part of its constant adaptation to new challenges, innovation is a key focus for NATO. Disruptive technologies such as AI and biotech are being increasingly exploited by our adversaries. "Technology is changing our societies, but it is also changing security and warfare," Mr Geoană said in a discussion with President Chiang, faculty and international students. "To maintain our technological edge we need to innovate and adapt faster than our adversaries across all EDTs. And we need to make better use of our academia powerhouse. This is why I am at Purdue University today. Yesterday, I visited MIT and Harvard."

At the KIDT, the Deputy Secretary General highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships with academia and the private sector in order to advance the technological end economic competitiveness of the Alliance. "We will continue to explore opportunities to collaborate in order to accelerate the secure and trusted adoption of dual use technologies," he concluded.

Deputy Secretary General Geoana visited Boston on Wednesday (24 April), where he toured the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and visited a site for NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).

At The Engine - an innovation accelerator established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - the Deputy Secretary General met with biotech founders to discuss the role technology plays in responding to security challenges. DIANA supports companies to develop technologies that can solve urgent defence and security challenges. At a DIANA site, Mr Geoană participated in a discussion on dual use innovations. He also met with leaders of MassChallenge, a Boston-based network of experts, investors and corporate partners who support the growth of new technologies.

Speaking later to students and faculty members at the Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs - part of the Harvard Kennedy School - the Deputy Secretary General urged young leaders to think differently compared to those who went before them and use innovation to help tackle global security challenges.