There is an increased awareness about the risks of economic interdependence with authoritarian countries like China, but currently little consensus on what the appropriate response could be. The event provided a concrete discussion of how the Economic and Financial sphere can be used as a target for influence, technology transfer, espionage, and sabotage as well as how economic measures may be used defensively to protect key national interests and technological sectors. 

 

The event featured Edward Hunter Christie, a researcher, independent consultant, and former Defense and Innovation Policy Official at NATO, who has recently joined PSSI as a Senior Fellow. His recent work and scholarship have focused on defense and security economics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technological threats.

 

Mr. Christie gave an informative lecture about the global battle taking place through the economic and technological realms. He explained how disruptive technology like AI is poised to change global power dynamics and what democratic states can do to counter these threats.

 

You can find the transcript of the lecture here.