Participants at IISS security conference

Conference Agenda

GSIS is not just another conference. At its core lies a dynamic agenda that spotlights breakthrough technologies and their transformative impact on security policy and practice. Carefully curated, it presents a high-level, forward-looking programme uniting global experts at the intersection of innovation and security. From AI and cyber security to critical infrastructure and strategic financing, the agenda tackles the key challenges and cutting-edge solutions shaping tomorrow’s geopolitical and technological landscape.

Because innovation doesn’t stand still, neither does our agenda. New topics and formats are added on a rolling basis.

Download agenda (PDF)

Correct as of: 13 October 2025

19:00–22:00

Pre-Conference Reception and Dinner (by Invitation only)

07:30–08:30	Breakfast Session (by Invitation only)	Private Equity for Innovation A focused exchange on the role of private capital in driving breakthrough technologies and strategic resilience. What’s the future of innovation when venture capital meets national interest?
08:00–08:45		Arrival of GSIS Participants and Networking
08:45–09:00	Opening of the Summit	Opening of the Summit Setting the tone for a strategic, cross-sector dialogue at the intersection of innovation and global security.
09:00–09:30	Keynote Address	Innovation and Competitiveness in a Contested World  A high-level address on why innovation is now a geopolitical necessity. What defines competitiveness in a fragmented world and how do we stay ahead?
09:30–10:30	Plenary 1	World Order Disrupted: Implications for Innovation and Security What happens when global order erodes? This session explores the new landscape of power, risk, and innovation strategy in a multipolar era.
10:30–11:00		Refreshment and Networking Break
11:00–12:00	Plenary 2	The Race for Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience Who controls the inputs of tomorrow’s economy? A deep dive into the geopolitical scramble for resources and the quest for secure, resilient supply chains.
12:00–13:30		Networking Lunch
13:30–14:30	Plenary 3	AI-Driven Defence Solutions Autonomy, speed, and control: how artificial intelligence is transforming defence and the ethical, legal and strategic challenges that come with it.
14:30–15:30	Plenary 4	Cybersecurity and Digital Sovereignty How can nations and businesses reduce digital dependencies and secure their assets in a hostile cyber environment? This session connects policy, tech, and sovereignty.
15:30–16:00		Refreshment and Networking Break
16:00–16:30	Special Address	Hyperscale AI in Conflict: Practical Lessons from Ukraine
16:30–17:00	Special Address	Resilience, Technology and Nato's Digital Transformation
17:00–17:30	Defence Policy Keynote	An occasion to hear from a senior leader about defence policy and military capability priorities in Europe.
17:30–18:30	GSIS Accelerator Start-up and Founders Pitch	Strategic Innovation on Stage Europe’s most forward-looking innovators present their breakthrough technologies in the fields of security, resilience, and strategic infrastructure. As finalists of the GSIS Accelerator Programme, they pitch live to a jury of senior investors, policymakers, and experts. This session offers a glimpse into the ideas that could shape tomorrow’s capabilities – and into the minds behind them.
18:30–20:30	Dinner Reception	Networking Night

07:30–08:30	Breakfast Session (by Invitation only)	Public Capital and Strategic Statecraft How are governments using public investment to shape markets and secure sovereignty in key sectors? A timely discussion on statecraft in the age of industrial policy.
08:00–08:45		Arrival of GSIS Participants and Networking
09:00–09:30	Special Address	Agentic Warfare and the Future of Transatlantic Security
09:30–10:30	Plenary 5	Resilient Infrastructure and Modern Civil Defence What does resilience look like in the 21st century? This session explores how states can protect critical infrastructure and societies from hybrid threats and system shocks.
10:30–11:00		Refreshment and Networking Break
11:00–12:00	Plenary 6	Biotechnology and National Security Biotech is now a key arena of power. From pandemic resilience to biosecurity threats, this session investigates the intersection of life sciences and national strategy.
12:00–12:30	Special Innovation Address	A thought-provoking keynote from a visionary thinker at the frontier of technology, policy, and imagination.
12:30–13:00	Technology Talk	TBC
13:00–14:30		Networking Lunch
14:30–15:30	Plenary 7	Global Cloud Competition – Who Owns the New Territory? Cloud infrastructure is the new territory of power. Who controls the platforms, data flows and standards and what does it mean for sovereignty?
15:30–16:00		Refreshment and Networking Break
16:00–17:00	Plenary 8	Securing Smart Ports and Smart Cities As urban systems become more intelligent, they also become more vulnerable. This session explores how to protect the connected backbone of our economies.
17:00–18:00	Concluding Plenary	Strategic Financing for Innovation and Security in a New Global and Economic Order The final word on the capital behind the transformation. How do we finance innovation and resilience in an age of instability?