(Photos: Marc Bader)
Members of the United Nations Security Council visited the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator Foundation (GESDA) at Campus Biotech in Geneva on Monday to discuss the vital intersection of emerging scientific advancements and international peace and security.
The meeting, which brought together key figures from the fields of diplomacy, science, and technology, highlighted the importance of science anticipation in addressing global security challenges.
The meeting took place in the context of Switzerland’s invitation to members of the Security Council to visit Geneva on August 25 and 26, marking the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
Swiss State Secretary Alexandre Fasel, representing Switzerland as a GESDA co-founder, opened the meeting by reiterating Switzerland’s commitment to advancing the multilateral agenda through science diplomacy.
Henrietta Fore, a GESDA board member, former UNICEF executive director and former USAID director; and Michael Hengartner, also a GESDA board member, chairman of the GESDA Academic Forum and chairman of the ETH Board overseeing the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH Zurich and EPFL), underlined the essential role that scientific anticipation can play in conflict prevention efforts and the promotion of world peace.
They outlined how some of the fast-accelerating advancements in technology, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, synthetic biology, and neurotechnology, are likely to reshape global security landscapes over the next five, 10, and 25 years.
Highlights of the Discussion:
- Science and Security Nexus: Fore stressed the necessity of anticipating scientific breakthroughs to mitigate potential security threats. She noted the convergence of AI with other scientific domains is expected to significantly accelerate both opportunities and risks in the coming decade.
- Quantum Technologies: Hengartner provided insights into the transformative potential of quantum technologies, including their implications for encryption, cybersecurity, and military logistics. He highlighted GESDA’s “Quantum for All” initiative that aims to make quantum computing accessible globally, ensuring its benefits extend beyond a select few nations.
- Synthetic Biology and Neurotechnology: The presenters also discussed the dual-use nature of advancements in synthetic biology and neurotechnology. While these fields offer promising solutions for challenges like climate change and medical innovation, they also pose new risks, including the potential development of bioweapons and cognitive warfare.
Following the presentations, the meeting concluded with a question and answer session on peace and security and how to anticipate these issues.
