While democracies used to have the edge in developing and deploying new technologies, authoritarian states are gaining ground. Today, authoritarian regimes not only use artificial intelligence or big data to entrench their rule at home, but they undertake disinformation campaigns to subvert institutions and decision-making abroad. Cyberattacks constitute an integral part of hybrid warfare. In order to rise to this competitive challenge, democracies must unite around a common agenda to promote innovation and protect the democratic space. The Digitalization and Geopolitics focal area explores political and societal priorities to foster democratic values and in the digital space.
While digitalization is often regarded as a predominantly technical issue, new cyber threats emphasize the ongoing international struggle for digital supremacy. Classic geopolitical conflicts remain, but they are additionally unfolding digitally, accompanied by a multitude of critical uncertainties. This development requires an appropriate response from democratic and value-based governments, businesses, and civil societies around the world.
Munich Cyber Security Conference
The Aspen Institute Germany is a long-standing institutional partner of the Munich Cyber Security Conference (MCSC). MCSC is one of the most renown cyber conferences worldwide, offering a unique platform for exchanging and discussing solutions to the manifold challenges in information and cyber security. Focusing on the role and responsibility of decision-makers – both from the public and private sector – the conference highlights effective strategies as well as international and cross-industry cooperation to counter current threats by providing insights into the future evolution of cyber security policies. Read more.
Munich Security Conference
Since 2024, the Aspen Institute Germany has been organizing official and other side events at the renowned Munich Security Conference. Drawing on the Aspen network, these events bring together experts from government, the private sector, politics, academia and civil society to discuss and debate current security threats and possible solutions. Read more here.
