Giacomo Persi Paoli

Giacomo is the Head of the Security and Technology Programme at UNIDIR. His expertise spans the science and technology domain with emphasis on the implications of emerging technologies for security and defence. His recent work focused on arms control, technology horizon scanning, AI and cyber security. Before joining UNIDIR, Giacomo was Associate Director at RAND Europe where he led the defence and security science, technology and innovation portfolio as well as RAND’s Centre for Futures and Foresight Studies. He served for 14 years as warfare officer in the Italian Navy and has been extensively engaged in small arms and light weapons research in support of UN processes. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Rome, Italy and a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Pisa, Italy. He speaks English, French and Italian.    

Giacomo’s areas of expertise include defence and security science and technology, innovation, emerging technologies, futures and foresight studies, and international security and disarmament.