Key takeaways

• Information disorders regarding conventional arms are common, with the most frequent type involving the misrepresentation of weapons sales between countries.
• Digital technology acts as a force multiplier in the creation and dissemination of incidents, although the technologies involved are generally not high-end.
• Information disorders can affect arms control and disarmament, peace and security, and multilateral and geopolitical relations, and in some cases already do.

Information disorders – disinformation, misinformation and malinformation – affecting the integrity of information on conventional arms are an underexamined but consequential challenge for arms control, conflict prevention and international security. False or misleading claims about arms and ammunition flows, acquisitions and build-ups could distort perceptions of military capabilities, undermine confidence between States, affect decisions on arms transfers, intensify existing tensions and result in an arms build-up.

The analysis of 146 incidents from 2015–2025 shows that three quarters of the incidents concerned arms flows, while fewer related to acquisitions or military build-ups. The most common incidents involved misrepresented weapons sales, false allegations of arms supplies and incorrect claims about weapons ownership. Small arms, ammunition and missile systems featured most frequently.

Digital technologies and social media also amplify the spread of false claims, often through recycled or out-of-context content. Although generative AI played a limited role in the analysed cases, its future impact should not be understated, particularly when considering non-technological factors.

Information disorders can weaken arms-control mechanisms, fuel violence and arms races, disrupt peace processes, damage diplomatic relations and erode confidence in multilateral institutions. This publication proposes actions to improve information integrity relating to conventional arms flows, acquisitions and build-ups, focusing on preventing information disorders, protecting information spaces and audiences, and mitigating their impact should these occur.

The post False Signals, Real Weapons? Mis- and Disinformation about Conventional Arms first appeared on UNIDIR.

Key takeaways

• Electronic warfare should be understood not only as a battlefield activity but as a strategic force that is shaping the development trajectory of weapon systems.
• States should monitor the spread of electronic warfare technologies and their impact on counter-drone development, including among non-State actors.
• States should consider how advances in electronic warfare should inform existing governance frameworks on the transfer, export and use of uncrewed systems.

The electromagnetic spectrum has become a key enabler of modern military operations. With the increase in the number and types of capabilities that rely on it for communications, navigation, sensing and guidance, the contest to control this domain has become a central and growing aspect of military operations. While not new, “electronic warfare” is now a persistent, distributed and increasingly accessible feature of modern conflicts. It has accelerated a dynamic between measures and countermeasures, whereby developments to disrupt the electromagnetic spectrum are matched by developments that seek to overcome these disruptions.

This publication examines how two core electronic warfare techniques – jamming and spoofing – are driving innovations in the design and use of uncrewed aerial systems, and also considers the implications of this dynamic for disarmament, arms control and international security. As electronic warfare continues to shape the design, deployment and operational use of uncrewed aerial systems, the disarmament and arms control community would benefit from closer and more systematic engagement with this dynamic.

The post Electronic Warfare and Innovations in Uncrewed Aerial Systems: Arms Control and Disarmament Implications first appeared on UNIDIR.

Key takeaways

• Merging quantum and AI could unlock capabilities beyond what either delivers alone, reshaping future military competition and strategic dynamics.
• This convergence risks deepening existing concerns about military AI use, including greater unpredictability, less transparent decision-making and harder accountability and legal compliance.
• Staying ahead of these risks will require ongoing, cross-disciplinary monitoring spanning technical, legal, policy and military expertise.

Both quantum technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are advancing rapidly, with an increasingly symbiotic relationship between these two transformative fields. AI’s role is becoming more evident in quantum research and development, facilitating experimentation and system optimisation. In turn, progress in quantum technologies is also expected to enhance future AI capabilities through improved computational performance.

Alongside potential opportunities, this convergence could introduce new complexities and challenges that extend beyond technical domains and into the realm of international security. For instance, quantum-AI systems could generate challenges that compound existing concerns surrounding the military use of AI, such as heightened unpredictability, opaque decision-making, and structural difficulties related to accountability and legal compliance.

While relevant military applications of the quantum-AI convergence remain largely conceptual or in early development, examining this emerging security dimension provides an opportunity to proactively identify potential risks and inform early policy responses. Building on discussions from UNIDIR’s webinar series on quantum-AI convergence, this primer provides a technological overview of the quantum-AI convergence, assesses emerging and future defence use cases, and examines potential international security implications.

The post Entangled Frontiers: Quantum-AI Convergence in Defence and International Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

While not a new technology, recent advances in machine capabilities and declining costs have accelerated its integration into military supply chains, operational environments and industrial production. As a dual-use, cyber-physical manufacturing technology, additive manufacturing offers strategic advantages, but it also raises proliferation and diversion risks that warrant closer scrutiny by policymakers and the arms control community.

As part of UNIDIR’s Science and Technology Watchtower project, this primer provides a short overview of what additive manufacturing is and how it works, explains what types of military equipment it can help produce, who is involved, why it is sought and what its limitations are. It also examines the risks emerging from the use of this technology in manufacturing and provides an overview of existing arms control and transfer control measures, as well as their gaps and limitations. The primer concludes by outlining several considerations for policymakers on how to overcome existing challenges.

The post Additive Manufacturing of Conventional Military Equipment: Implications for Arms Control and Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

Neurotechnologies, while still emerging, are advancing rapidly and gaining prominence. These technologies have a clear dual-use nature: in addition to civilian applications, military research laboratories are actively exploring ways to enhance soldiers’ cognitive, sensory and physical capabilities, including through direct brain-machine interfaces with uncrewed systems. The potential military use of neurotechnologies raises significant security concerns and could affect the conduct of warfare, presenting complex disarmament, ethical and legal challenges.

The Innovations Dialogue 2025, building on existing international efforts, sought to provide a neutral space to address this topic through the lens of arms control, disarmament and international security. It did so by examining the current state of neurotechnologies, considering associated risks and opportunities for international peace and security, and exploring pathways towards responsible governance.

The post Innovations Dialogue 2025: Conference Report first appeared on UNIDIR.

In particular, the dual-use nature of neurotechnologies raises the potential for them to become disruptive military technologies. Militaries worldwide have explored the integration of a wide suite of neurotechnologies into the military domain throughout the 21st century, with some initiatives dating back to the late 20th century. Recent advances in various scientific and technological fields have rendered the integration of neurotechnology into military contexts increasingly likely to become a reality in the near future.

In contrast to civilian neurotechnology, this trend has received comparatively less attention, while carrying with it significant potential risks for international peace and security. A preliminary mapping of the potential risks, challenges and opportunities specifically associated with the militarization of neurotechnology is therefore both timely and necessary.

The post Neurotechnology in the Military Domain: A Primer first appeared on UNIDIR.

To address this knowledge gap, UNIDIR’s annual Compendium on Enabling Technologies and International Security focuses on identifying and analysing key advancements in enabling technologies, with a particular emphasis on those still in their early stages of development or application. This 2024 edition builds upon the 2023 compendium, providing an update on the latest developments in enabling technologies as they relate to international peace and security. While this edition addresses technological developments and applications specific to 2024, the 2023 compendium remains an essential resource for more detailed foundational analyses. 

The compendium categorises enabling technologies into four areas: 

• Category I: advanced materials, including semiconductors, superconductors and nanotechnology; 

• Category II: parts and components, such as microchips and sensors; 

• Category III: processing and computing, covering cloud, edge and quantum computing; and 

• Category IV: connectivity infrastructure, spanning fifth- and sixth-generation telecommunications (5G and 6G), the Internet of Things and satellite communications. 

Funded by

The post Enabling Technologies and International Security: A Compendium (2024 edition) first appeared on UNIDIR.

The dialogue featured multidisciplinary discussions on quantum computing, communications and sensing, focusing on equitable access, capacity building, and the role of multilateral frameworks. Key themes included bridging the “quantum divide,” fostering collaboration across sectors and integrating quantum advancements with Sustainable Development Goals.  

The 2024 Innovations Dialogue emphasized fostering inclusive, collaborative and forward-thinking approaches to quantum governance. By uniting global stakeholders and leveraging innovative ideas, the conference explored possible pathways to responsibly harness quantum technologies’ transformative power. It laid the groundwork for future multilateral discussions to shape secure, equitable and innovative quantum advancements.

This report is not intended to be a detailed account of the conference proceedings but rather an easily accessible reference point. For more information, watch the full conference recording.

The post Innovations Dialogue 2024: Conference Report first appeared on UNIDIR.

The centrality of cloud computing to modern life and the concentration of services among a few actors mean that failures – either accidental or as the result of adversarial action – can be severe, with cascading effects across industries, services and states.

To understand the profound impacts of this critical enabling technology on international security, this report provides an overview of relevant use cases, benefits and risks of cloud computing, as well as its key governance challenges and implications for arms control. Structured into two parts – a technology primer and a governance primer – this report offers both technical insights and policy analysis.

The post Cloud Computing and International Security: Risks, Opportunities and Governance Challenges first appeared on UNIDIR.

• First, the development of AI technologies has – at least in part – depended on the availability of large datasets to train AI models.
• Second, data is a resource whose availability, collection, cleaning, use and sharing is affected by factors such as collection costs, lack of real-world data in certain domains, as well as regulatory, legal and ethical constraints.
• Third, data quality, representativeness, and diversity are directly linked to an AI model’s performance, level of bias, accuracy and reliability.

Synthetic data – data that is artificially generated in the digital world with properties that are often derived from an original set of data – has been proposed as a solution to address some of these data-related issues, especially for AI model training. However, synthetic data is no panacea, and has been shown to potentially exacerbate many of the issues it seeks to curtail, sparking governance discussions.

To explore the governance challenges of synthetic data in the context of international security, UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme held an event titled Technology and Security Seminar on Synthetic Data: Exploring Governance Implications.

This report provides a summary of the key themes and takeaways from discussions at the event. The report is divided into two parts, reflecting the structure of the event. The first part provides a short overview of the technology and its uses in the military domain. The second part presents the various views, issues and potential challenges to governance presented by synthetic data in the context of international security.

The post Governance Implications of Synthetic Data in the Context of International Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

Since 1999, the UN has expressed concern over the misuse of ICTs and initiated multilateral processes, including Groups of Governmental Experts and Open-ended Working Groups (OEWGs), to address ICT threats. With the second OEWG concluding in 2025, there is a recognized need for a permanent mechanism under UN auspices to ensure continuity in addressing ICT security. Key resolutions (75/240, 77/37, and 78/16) and past consensus OEWG reports have laid the groundwork for further action, culminating in States recommending the establishment of a future permanent mechanism at the 8th substantive session of the OEWG in July 2024.

Background

The initial iteration of this report was developed as food-for-thought to support discussions among State representatives during a UNIDIR workshop on future permanent mechanism convened in June 2024. An updated version of this report was shared with delegates ahead of the 8th substantive session of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) in July 2024, where formal deliberations on establishing a permanent mechanism on ICT security took place.

The new iteration synthesizes insights from UN General Assembly resolutions, OEWG sessions and State submissions, offering potential pathways for creating a fit-for-purpose permanent mechanism on ICT security. It also contains an appendix summarizing discussions from the June 2024 UNIDIR workshop and highlighting specific elements of the future permanent mechanism agreed by States at the OEWG in July 2024.

Key findings 

This report highlights the following areas of convergence, divergence and key findings:

• Areas of convergence: States agree on the need for a permanent mechanism to promote international peace and security in cyberspace, as well as its general purpose, structure and guiding principles of inclusivity, flexibility, transparency, sustainability, complementarity and non-duplication.
• Areas of divergence: Differences remain regarding the mechanism’s precise modalities, thematic focus and programmatic priorities. Specific issues, such as its name, sequencing of activities, participation of non-governmental stakeholders and thematic groups, also require further discussions.

The report also highlights that the success and long-term viability of a permanent UN mechanism on ICT security will depend on finding a balance between high-level political discussions and technical exchanges. By building on areas of convergence and incorporating ongoing discussions around divergences, States can establish a sustainable mechanism capable of enhancing international cooperation and strengthening global ICT security over time while minimizing the risk of institutional gridlocks.

The post Towards a Regular Institutional Dialogue on International ICT Security: Review of Current Proposals and Considerations for Effective Dialogue  first appeared on UNIDIR.

Quantum advancements promise transformative changes in sensing, computing, communication and cryptography, and they offer enhanced capabilities for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) as well as critical advancements in information security and cryptographic resilience.

However, these same technologies also introduce challenges that could destabilize the security frameworks that underpin global peace.

Funded by

The post Quantum Technology, Peace and Security: A Primer first appeared on UNIDIR.

Between 2 July and 5 September 2024, UNIDIR and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs co-organized a series of three webinars on UAS. This summary highlights the key points made by the speakers on issues pertaining to terms and classifications of UAS, benefits and risks of (mis)use, and possible actions to address the identified threats.

The post Armed and dangerous? A brief overview of uncrewed aerial systems – risks, impacts and avenues for action first appeared on UNIDIR.

National positions can foster transparency on the national level as well as internationally. They can act as a reference document and can therefore guide bilateral engagement with international partners as well as national contributions to multilateral processes dedicated to State use of information and communications technology in the context of international peace and security. When drafted in consultation with international partners, a national position can foster international cooperation. It can also enhance preparedness to address future cyber operations by providing national guidelines with respect to assessment, classification and response to variety of malicious cyber operations. Finally, the utility of national positions can be found in their ability to contribute to the development of international law in general.

National positions are dynamic in nature. A State’s national position could initially focus on key issues as defined by that State’s interest and capacity. This approach requires prioritizing certain legal areas, with the understanding that the position may evolve in the future. In particular, it may need to adapt to technological developments and evolving multilateral discussions.

To maximize their utility, national positions should prioritize the interpretation of principles and rules previously agreed by the various multilateral discussions as applicable to State use of ICT. When deciding on the content of its national position, a State could further consult existing regional approaches to the topic and the national positions of other States. Indeed, topics most frequently addressed by existing national positions include the United Nations Charter, international humanitarian law, the law of State responsibility, due diligence and international human rights law.

Last but not least, this compendium suggests 10 steps that a State could consider taking when developing its national position – starting with defining the scope of the position through, inter alia, threat landscape assessment and consideration of foreign policy priorities, and concluding with publication and dissemination of the position.

The post A Compendium of Good Practices: Developing a National Position on the Interpretation of International Law and State Use of ICT first appeared on UNIDIR.

To address this knowledge gap, this compendium is dedicated to the identification and analysis of the most salient advancements in enabling technologies, with a particular emphasis on those still in their early stages of development or application. The compendium explores four categories of enabling technologies: advanced materials (semiconductors, superconductors and nanotechnology), parts and components (microchips and sensors), processing and computing (cloud, edge and quantum computing), and infrastructure (fifth- and sixth-generation telecommunications (5G and 6G), the Internet of Things, cloud infrastructure and satellite communications).

The post Enabling Technologies and International Security: A Compendium (2023 Edition) first appeared on UNIDIR.

This paper seeks to bridge this gap by presenting a needs-driven, systematic, and context-sensitive framework to identify and assess technologies that could strengthen efforts to counter the diversion of conventional arms and related components.

The first step of this framework requires an understanding of the risks and methods of diversion, tailored to each specific type of conventional weapon and its life-cycle context. The second step examines the existing technologies which could help address the identified risk(s). The final step assesses the identified technologies according to the context(s) in which they would be applied, as well as against selected attributes the technologies should possess.

The paper also provides two illustrations to show how the framework could be applied to small arms and light weapons on the one hand, and components of conventional weapons on the other.

Sponsor Organizations: Germany (Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme) and Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Microsoft (Security and Technology Programme).

The post Technologies to Counter the Diversion of Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Components of Conventional Weapons first appeared on UNIDIR.

Part I of the report seeks to provide a foundational understanding of the concept of AI and its state of play.

Part II examines the disruptive impact of AI on international peace and security. In particular, it discusses the risks and benefits of uses of AI in military operations and across domains of warfare as well as the opportunities and challenges of harnessing AI technologies for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Part III of the report examines the path to Responsible AI. It unpacks the RAI governance approach and discusses how it is and can be operationalized. It also reflects on the value of building an RAI culture.

HIGHLIGHTS & RECORDINGS:

• Read a brief summary of the Conference Highlights
• Watch all of the conference sessions again (via the UNIDIR YouTube channel or below)

The post Innovations Dialogue 2022: Conference Report first appeared on UNIDIR.

Traditionally, ceasefire monitoring and verification has been human-led. In some circumstances, it can however be difficult deploy observers on the ground. While technology cannot replace humans in all aspects of the monitoring and verification of ceasefires, especially within dialogue and de-escalation efforts, technology can nonetheless support and complement human-led activities. 

This report explains what technological solutions are available to help monitor and verify ceasefires, outlining the respective technological advantages and limitations of each solution. The report also provides a series of guiding considerations around the use of technology, highlighting recommended issues to reflect upon before using technology to aid with ceasefire monitoring and verification 

Sponsor Organizations: Germany (Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme) and Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Microsoft (Security and Technology Programme).

The post Exploring the Use of Technology for Remote Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification first appeared on UNIDIR.

HIGHLIGHTS & RECORDINGS:

• Read a brief summary of the Conference Highlights
• Watch all of the conference sessions again (via the UNIDIR YouTube channel or below)

Teaser: Deepfakes, Trust and International Security

The post Innovations Dialogue 2021: Conference Report first appeared on UNIDIR.

This paper provides a brief overview of DLT, including its main characteristics, benefits and risks, as well as its potential applications and utility in the context of arms control and non-proliferation.

Sponsor Organizations: Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Microsoft

The post Exploring Distributed Ledger Technology for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation: A Primer first appeared on UNIDIR.

This study seeks to inform discussions on establishing a dedicated and systematic S&T review process under the BWC through an examination of existing S&T review-type mechanisms employed in different regimes beyond the BWC, a survey of States Parties views on a possible review mechanism and a study of past and present discourse on this issue in the BWC. Based on the analysis conducted, this study also presents options for BWC States Parties to consider ahead of the Ninth BWC Review Conference.

The post Exploring Science and Technology Review Mechanisms Under the Biological Weapons Convention first appeared on UNIDIR.

Teaser: Life Sciences, International Security and Disarmament

Sponsor Organizations: SecTec core funders: the Governments of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland, and by Microsoft.

The post Innovations Dialogue 2020: Conference Report first appeared on UNIDIR.

Through the generous support of the Governments of Germany, India, Qatar and Switzerland, UNIDIR convened Innovations Dialogue 2019 on Digital Innovations and International Security on 19 August 2019 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Citation: Security and Technology Programme (2019) “2019 Innovations Dialogue Report”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

The post Innovations Dialogue 2019: Conference Report first appeared on UNIDIR.

From mobile phones, GPS and satellites to air traffic control, emergency services and drones, modern societies and military operations increasingly depend on access to and control of the electromagnetic spectrum. As competition within this domain intensifies, disruptions to the spectrum are emerging as a serious challenge for international peace and security.

UNIDIR’s Innovations Dialogue 2026 will examine what these developments mean for conflict, strategic stability and global governance. Discussions will cover the impact on military capabilities and the vulnerabilities created by dependence on connected systems. Participants will also explore how arms control and disarmament frameworks can adapt to this changing security landscape.

Mostly invisible, the electromagnetic spectrum is becoming a defining feature of modern warfare. As dependence on this domain grows, understanding the risks of disruption is essential to safeguarding both security and stability.

Dr Robin Geiss, UNIDIR Director

Recent UNIDIR analysis has shown how electronic warfare is shaping innovation in uncrewed aerial systems, with militaries increasingly adapting platforms and operational concepts to function in contested electromagnetic environments. As technologies change in response to spectrum-related vulnerabilities, policymakers face new questions about the implications for conflict, stability and international security governance.

Despite its significance for security and conflict, the electromagnetic spectrum remains relatively underexplored within arms control and disarmament discussions. The conference will provide an opportunity to consider how existing governance frameworks can adapt to the realities of 21st-century conflict and technological change.

To register for the event, visit UNIDIR’s website. For further information, please contact Claudia Marquina, UNIDIR Head of Communications at claudia.marquina@un.org.

About UNIDIR

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institution within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community in developing solutions to critical security problems. For more information, visit unidir.org.

The post Electromagnetic disruption to headline UNIDIR’s Innovations Dialogue 2026 first appeared on UNIDIR.