Dialogue Brief
Artificial Intelligence, European Defense, Geo-Cybersecurity, Conflicts & Space Economy
Crossroads of Technological Innovation, Geopolitics, and Ethical Challenges
A. Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, Power & Global Cooperation
A New Frontier of Civilizational Values and Strategic Competition - Challenges and Prospects for Human-Centric AI Development
Executive Summary
Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents one of the most transformative forces of the 21st century. Its impact spans economies, societies, and political systems, offering tools to solve pressing global problems while simultaneously introducing new risks. Competing global visions for AI—from open, ethical frameworks to closed, authoritarian models— reveal how digital power is distributed and exercised. Ensuring AI benefits all requires global cooperation, value-sensitive design, and inclusive governance.
Global Ethical Interfaces
AI systems encode the cultural values of their creators. The need for intercultural AI ethics highlights how language, societal norms, and power dynamics shape algorithms.
Global diversity must be embedded into AI training and decision-making processes.
AI & Digital Geopolitics
AI is central to the digital sovereignty race. National strategies (e.g., U.S., EU, China) define AI development as a matter of strategic autonomy. Geopolitical fault lines emerge around data localization, chip production, and platform control.
Access & Inequality
The Global South faces exclusion from AI development due to data poverty, limited infrastructure, and low research visibility. This exacerbates global inequities unless addressed through inclusive innovation.
B. Space Economy: Commons, Conflict & Innovation
The Cosmic Crossroads of Commercialization and Sovereignty - Challenges and Prospects for Peaceful & Equitable Use of Outer Space
Executive Summary
The emergence of a dynamic space economy challenges traditional governance of the outer space commons. Low Earth Orbit is now home to thousands of satellites, heightening risks of congestion and conflict. As nations and corporations race for commercial and strategic space dominance, sustainable and peaceful use of space is at stake. Space must remain a domain of international cooperation, guided by equity and environmental responsibility.
Space as a Global Commons
Outer space has traditionally been seen as a shared human heritage. However, current treaties are outdated in the face of commercial and military advancements. A modernized legal framework is needed.
Privatization and Inequality
Private actors, particularly from the Global North, dominate access to orbits and launch capacity. This raises concerns over monopolies and fair access for emerging nations.
Debris & Environmental Risk
Orbital debris threatens long-term sustainability. An international mechanism for debris mitigation and orbital traffic management is urgently needed.
Innovation & Inclusion
Growing space programs in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia show the democratization of access. Collaboration via Artemis Accords and regional space agencies are promising steps.
C. Geo-Cybersecurity: Power, Data & Sovereignty
At the Intersection of Cyber-Diplomacy, Warfare, and Human Rights - Challenges and Prospects for a Resilient Digital Geopolitical Order
Executive Summary
Cybersecurity has evolved into a geopolitical arena of contestation. As societies become digitally dependent, infrastructure vulnerabilities, cyberattacks, and information warfare pose existential risks to democratic governance and global stability. A common cyber future demands robust diplomacy, inclusive governance, and public awareness.
Digital Infrastructure as a Geopolitical Asset
Critical infrastructure such as 5G, power grids, and undersea cables are increasingly targets of espionage and cyber sabotage. Digital sovereignty emerges as a core policy imperative.
Information Integrity and Disinformation
From deepfakes to bot-driven narratives, cyber-enabled disinformation campaigns threaten elections, social cohesion, and trust in institutions.
Global Governance and Norms
Efforts like the UN OEWG and the Budapest Convention strive to set common rules, but fragmentation persists. Regional cooperation and norm entrepreneurship are essential.
Civic Resilience
Empowering citizens through digital literacy, rights awareness, and access to cybersecurity tools fosters societal resilience against hybrid threats.