UNIDIR will host its annual Innovations Dialogue on 24 November 2025 at the Centre International de Conférences Genève. Under the theme “Neurotechnologies and their implications for international peace and security”, the event will provide a timely neutral platform for examining how emerging neurotechnologies could impact international security, warfare and disarmament.
While most neurotechnology applications are developed for medical use and other commercial applications, they have clear dual-use potential. Military research labs are currently exploring enhancements of cognitive, sensory and physical abilities of soldiers as well as the direct interfacing of human brains with uncrewed systems.
Recent advances in various scientific and technological fields have rendered the growing integration of neurotechnologies into military contexts increasingly likely to become a reality in the near future. The potential militarization of neurotechnologies, however, raises significant international security risks, can have disruptive effects on warfare and raises complex disarmament, ethical and legal considerations.
Exploring emerging risks
This year’s Innovations Dialogue will bring together leading neuroscientists, legal scholars, policymakers and industry experts to discuss the implications of neurotechnologies. The event will feature interdisciplinary discussions with panels discussing:
- What are neurotechnologies? What is the current state of development and what are the potential future developments going to be?
- The risks to individuals linked to the development and use of neurotechnologies, and how these relate to international security.
- The current and potential uses of neurotechnologies in the military domain, highlighting why and how, these technologies have military potential.
- The implications of using these technologies in the military domain; from operational, strategic considerations, to legal and ethical implications of their deployment and use in armed conflicts.
- The governance pathways for neurotechnologies, looking at the current landscape as well as potential novel architectures for addressing the international security and disarmament challenges posed by these technologies.
In addition, this year’s dialogue will feature a poster exhibition showcasing research and policy proposals across four sub-themes: Innovation, responsible use, risk mitigation, and governance. These aim to promote responsible neurotechnologies in the military domain.
A platform for responsible innovation
The Innovations Dialogue is organized by UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme, which works to address global security challenges posed by emerging technologies. The conference is co-sponsored by the Czech Republic, the European Union, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Microsoft. This flagship event serves as a unique multistakeholder forum examining developments in science and technology that have significant implications for international peace and security.
