From “Active Measures” to AI Infiltrators What classic influence instruments still matter, and what has changed since the Cold War? What can we learn from history? Who are the agents of influence, serving as mouthpieces for Russia and its autocratic allies? Why is it important not to overlook offline influence operations, and how do they impact the online world? With subtitles (no guarantee, the spoken word prevails):
Navigating the Unpredictable: Black Swans in Geopolitical Security In an increasingly interconnected and volatile world, the strategic risks posed by black swan events—rare and unpredictable occurrences with severe consequences—demand our urgent attention. This talk will delve into the nature of black swans, drawing on historical data, scientific studies, and other reliable sources to illustrate their profound impact on geopolitical security. We will begin by defining black swan events and exploring historical instances where such events have dramatically altered geopolitical landscapes. Utilizing case studies from the past century and suggestions from the x-risk list, Pat Mächler will highlight the critical factors that contributed to these events and examine the …
How to deal with Disruption Benjamin Tallis will present his book and key ideas in it in a ‘keynote’ type speech and then sit down with Aaron for a discussion with the audience which he will moderate. With subtitles (no guarantee, the spoken word prevails):
Self-defense for the rest of us Sara Hjalmarsson is talking about self-defense for the rest of us In much of the world, it has long been the case that public figures are more likely to experience threats and violence than other members of the population. The risk is higher for women and minorities. This phenomenon has become worse in recent times due to the normalization of threatening and violent behavior across the political spectrum and the disturbing level of dehumanization in the media, social media and political discourse. Why is this happening and what can we, as individuals, do about it? In this pragmatic talk, security specialist, political pirate and …
Smokeless War Theresa Fallon will discuss to topics: Does China have global maritime ambitions in the Baltic? Smokeless War: Is Europe getting “Boursicoted” by Beijing? (which is about China’s influence operations in Europe). https://nationalinterest.org/feature/smokeless-war-europe-getting-boursicoted-beijing-212553/ https://perconcordiam.com/smokeless-war-and-mirrors/ (With subtitles)
Lenses of Disinfolklore Romantic German nationalist Herder’s 1770s calls to unify the ten German tribes using a common culture grounded upon the collection of Germanic folklore led, a century later, to the first unified German state. Russia’s propagation of Disinfolklore (stories that affect our emotions in negatively manipulative ways), similarly, aims to unify and mobilize a global community of paleo-conservatives working to destroy the legal and social order established after World War Two. Counter Disinfolklore is our main means of identifying and controlling Russian, MAGA and other forms of mind-altering Disinfolklore (War Magic). At stake is the democratic basis of our civilization. Under the moniker Decoding Trolls, Stephen Douglas regularly …
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.
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
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 …
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.
