UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security

The Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security is UNIDIR’s global, permanent platform dedicated to advancing AI governance in the peace and security domain. Based in Geneva, it brings together research, dialogue and capacity-building to support more effective and inclusive approaches to the challenges AI presents.

As AI moves rapidly from development into real-world application, including in military and security settings, the need for shared insight and coordinated engagement is becoming more urgent. Launched in 2026, the centre connects a wide range of stakeholders from around the world to strengthen understanding, foster collaboration, and help turn global discussions on AI and security into practical outcomes.

Strengthening global governance of AI

AI is increasingly shaping military affairs and wider security dynamics, with significant implications for international peace, civilian protection and global stability. Yet despite growing policy attention, current governance efforts remain fragmented and uneven across regions and policy domains.

UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security responds directly to this gap. As a Geneva-based platform, the centre aims to strengthen responsible AI in peace and security by:

Consolidating knowledge and expertise
Enabling structured dialogue among key stakeholders
Supporting translation of principles into practice

At a time when no single forum provides comprehensive, continuous coverage of AI’s security implications, UNIDIR’s centre offers a sustained, neutral and inclusive home for this critical conversation.

Our focus

AI in the military domain

Including issues related to command and control, autonomous weapons, human-machine interfaces and compliance with international law.

AI and global security

Including issues related to peace operations and crisis-management, cyber, disinformation, weapons of mass destruction and counter-proliferation.

Cross-cutting governance issues

Such as dual-use challenges, testing and evaluation, standards, transparency, data governance and human rights.

Our approach

Provide impartial analysis, foresight and synthesis to support policymakers and practitioners. This includes horizon scanning, mapping of trends and gaps and the curation of relevant research and good practices.

Provide a stable and neutral space for inclusive engagement among governments, industry, academia and civil society through expert processes, policy exchanges, and multistakeholder forums that sustain momentum between major summits and UN processes.

Support practical implementation through training, capacity-building and development of operational guidance and toolkits that help translate commitments into practice.

Complementing, not duplicating

UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security is designed to complement — not duplicate — existing initiatives by:

Providing continuity between time-limited policy processes
Linking military, security and governance perspectives
Lowering participation barriers for developing and emerging economies
Helping move from principles toward operational solutions

In AI governance, the goal is not a single, unified framework, but better coordination, stronger capacity, and more informed dialogue so that the responses are coherent, inclusive and effective – UNIDIR Director, Robin Geiss

Engage with us

The centre is guided by an inclusive and collaborative platform bringing together expertise from international security, technology and policy communities.

It operates within its broader institutional framework, with engagement coordinated through UNIDIR as the main point of contact for partners and stakeholders.