Long-term stress and security vulnerabilities – by Sara “Beau” Hjalmarsson
Sara “Beau” Hjalmarsson: In her lecture entitled “Long-term stress and security risks”, Sara addresses the question of what effects crisis situations have on people.
Lectures 2024
Who Watches the Watchers – by Anja Hirschel & L0la L33tz
Who Watches the Watchers: Examining Civil Oversight in the Private/Public Surveillance Complex Interview panel with Anja Hirschel and L0la L33tz It is no news that law enforcement agencies deploy novel surveillance technologies to combat crime. But: how can we guarantee that our rights are protected when software grows faster than societal expertise? This talk will examine the opportunities for civil oversight when private contractors service governmental needs, the current state of data protections, and possible impacts. The lecture by Anja Hirschel
Technology Will Keep Us Off Guard – by Dr. Ronen Eidelman
In an age of rapid technological advancement, we find ourselves increasingly placing our trust in artificial intelligence and surveillance systems to safeguard us, manage our infrastructure, and even make critical decisions on our behalf. However, the recent events at the Gaza-Israel border serve as a stark reminder that the overreliance on these sophisticated technological systems can have grave consequences. On October 7th, despite a billion dollars spent on a formidable technological barrier replete with surveillance cameras, sensors, automatic weaponry driven by AI, and much more, Hamas successfully attacked Israel. This unfortunate incident underscores the critical need for a reevaluation of our reliance on …
Keynote: Grand Strategy & Neo-Idealism by Benjamin Tallis
Benjamin Tallis will draw on the work of DGAP’s Action Group Zeitenwende to outline the need for Germany to transition from the Zeitenwende to a genuine grand strategy and a strategic approach. He will also explain what his concept Neo-Idealism, a new approach to grand strategy, offers in this regard. He will present an assessment of the Zeitenwende, an introduction to grand strategy, and update on Neo-Idealism and Neo-Idealists’ track record over the last year.
Russian Attack Against Ukraine – Struggle For Our Integrity Has Begun – by Mikuláš Peksa
Mikuláš Peksa Russian attack against Ukraine brought European Union, one of the biggest economic powerhouses of our world, to a war. Struggle for our borders and integrity has begun. How is our “war economy” performing? And do we even have a war economy?
Future of Drone Warfare – by Alexander Kohler
Alex Kohler examines the evolving landscape of drone warfare and analyzes the anticipated advancements that will shape its future. The technological, strategic, and ethical dimensions are presented and illuminated.
Are Large Language Models Like ChatGPT Simply Tools That Replicate Patterns? By Florian Gallwitz
Prof. Dr. Florian Gallwitz will discuss a major question in AI: Are large language models like ChatGPT simply tools that replicate patterns, or can they learn and understand the world like humans do? He will examine various perspectives and the latest research on this topic. The talk will also explore how these developments in language model technology might impact security issues and the spread of false information. Unfortunately, the first 10 minutes were not recorded due to a misunderstanding. We regret this error.
The Adoption of the Right to Digital Integrity in the Geneva Constitution in 2023- by Alexis Roussel
Alexis Roussel Following the adoption of the Right to Digital integrity in the Geneva Constitution in 2023, several other Swiss cantons are in the process of introducing it. At its core, the Right to Digital integrity enables a change of the burden of proof regarding the harm done on personal data in favor of the individual. But the adoption of the Right to Digital integrity also raises questions regarding its enforcement. The presentation will demonstrate how a Right to Anonymity is a natural extension of the Right to digital integrity and necessary for its enforcement.
Trauma From Russian Occupation – A Weapon of Information Warfare – by Grit Friedrich
Grit Friedrich Why is there a perceived higher affinity with Russia in East Germany? Some months before elections in eastern federal states, Pro-Russian parties are leading the polls. Grit Friedrich, a former GDR civil rights advocate, suggests that one factor is a correlation between the unresolved traumas of the Soviet occupation and the strong conditioning of GDR citizens to the state doctrine of that time – which can also make subsequent generations more susceptible to Russian subversion due to unconsciously transmitted traumas. By comparing East Germany with other states and territories of the former Warsaw Pact, the mechanisms can be understood in a …
How to Turn Your Grand Mom Into a Terrorist – by Sara “Beau” Hjalmarsson
Sara “Beau” Hjalmarsson: In her presentation titled “How to Turn Your Grandmom Into a Terrorist,” she shows how the digital world has made it cheaper and easier for extremists and criminals to recruit people. Contemporary strategies are so subtle that even the most innocent can be both targeted and successfully radicalized. In this talk, Sara Hjalmarsson looks at how radicalization works in our digital world, the traps we can fall into when combating it, and what policymakers, law enforcement and citizens need to do differently to effectively fight this problem.