The Strategic Context – Why Does NATO Care About Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs)?
Emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs) are no longer just a futuristic concept; they’re transforming our daily lives, from the smartphones we use to shop and bank, to the very infrastructure that underpins our security systems. As these innovative technologies evolve, they both enhance and complicate military operations, offering NATO member countries new ways to bolster their defenses and operational effectiveness while simultaneously introducing new vulnerabilities.
NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept emphasizes the dual nature of EDTs. On one hand, they present opportunities for greater efficiency and sustainability in military operations; on the other, they pose significant threats from both state and non-state actors. These technologies not only redefine the nature of conflict but have also skyrocketed in strategic importance, marking a new era in global competition. Thus, NATO has committed to promoting innovation and increasing investments in EDTs, ensuring the Alliance maintains its technological edge and military superiority.
Innovation Policy – What is NATO’s EDT Strategy?
In February 2021, NATO Defense Ministers endorsed “Foster and Protect: NATO’s Coherent Implementation Strategy on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies.” This comprehensive strategy outlines two main objectives:
- Fostering a cohesive approach to dual-use technology deployment that can benefit both civilian markets and defense capabilities.
- Creating a forum for Allies to safeguard against hostile use of EDTs while protecting their own technological resources and innovation ecosystems from external threats.
These ambitious goals aim to ensure that NATO remains strategically dominant in an increasingly complex technological landscape.
Currently, NATO’s focus spans nine priority technology areas, tailored to enhance interoperability among allies and accelerate the adoption of these technologies. These areas not only support decision-making but also comply with Allied values and international law, aligning with NATO’s overall mission.
Data plays a critical enabling role across all these EDTs. To bolster its data management, NATO is pursuing a comprehensive framework policy and strategic plan, advancing its digital transformation to keep pace with the evolving technological landscape.
NATO’s Rapid Adoption Action Plan
Recognizing the rapid evolution of technology outside its ranks, NATO has implemented the Rapid Adoption Action Plan, endorsed at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague. This plan aims to streamline the integration of new technologies into military forces within a robust 24-month timeframe. The primary goals include:
- Expediting national procurement processes so that Allies can incorporate new technologies efficiently.
- Establishing NATO standards for emerging technologies to build trust and minimize investment risks.
- Clarifying defense industry priorities with a focus on NATO’s overarching military needs, ensuring alignment between innovative developments and defense requirements.
Innovation in Practice – Accelerating Technology Development and Adoption
To address modern challenges, NATO is actively engaging with communities of innovators. This engagement is crucial for fostering a vibrant transatlantic innovation ecosystem capable of supporting the Alliance’s defense needs in a rapidly changing world.
Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)
Launched during the 2021 Brussels Summit, DIANA serves as a platform to foster transatlantic cooperation on critical technologies. Its role extends to promoting interoperability and integrating civilian innovation by collaborating directly with academia and industry.
DIANA utilizes competitive industry challenges to solicit innovative solutions for pressing defense problems. Selected innovators receive non-dilutive grants and access to numerous accelerator sites and test centers throughout the Alliance. This structure not only provides funding but also aligns innovators with mentors and potential pathways to market their technologies within NATO.
NATO Innovation Fund
Additionally, the NATO Innovation Fund, established at the 2021 Brussels Summit, operates as a EUR 1 billion venture capital fund designed to invest strategically in start-ups focused on dual-use EDTs. By offering patient capital suitable for the longer time horizons typically associated with deep-tech developments, the fund aims to:
- Identify technologies that address NATO’s defense challenges.
- Strengthen deep-tech ecosystems across the Alliance.
- Support the commercial viability of startups in its portfolio.
This multi-sovereign fund is unprecedented in its collaborative approach, including participation from 24 NATO Allies and direct investments in start-ups across member nations.
Data and AI Review Board
NATO’s Data and AI Review Board centralizes efforts to govern the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence. By operationalizing key principles on the responsible use of AI, this board works towards establishing certification standards and toolkits that enhance responsible AI practices within the Alliance.
Board members bring diverse expertise from various sectors—government, academia, and private industry—ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to NATO’s AI strategy.
Other NATO Innovation Bodies
NATO operates several additional bodies focused on innovation. These collaborative entities are designed to integrate technological advancements across different sectors, enhancing defense capabilities while promoting public-private partnerships.
NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap
As a noteworthy collaboration, the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap emphasizes mutual learning and cooperation, especially given Ukraine’s pressing need for innovative solutions to conventional threats. This roadmap outlines objectives across four key areas designed to align NATO and Ukraine’s innovation strategies for better interoperability and effectiveness.
Evolution of NATO’s EDT Policies
NATO’s commitment to innovation has been evident since its inception but has seen particular urgency with the advent of rapid technological advancements. Important milestones in the evolution of NATO’s EDT policies include:
December 2019: NATO leaders articulated a roadmap for EDTs, identifying critical areas such as AI, autonomy, and quantum technologies.
June 2020: The establishment of NATO’s 2030 initiative laid the groundwork for integrating technological advancements into future strategic planning.
June 2021: Leaders agreed on the necessity of creating bodies like DIANA and the NATO Innovation Fund, initiatives pivotal for enhancing technological readiness.
February 2023: The second Annual Report on Innovation solidified a renewed commitment to foster and protect EDTs, as emerging communications frameworks were approved.
This ongoing evolution demonstrates NATO’s adaptability and responsiveness to the complex landscape of contemporary defense and security challenges, further reflected in the established timelines leading to future strategic summits and objectives. Each step in NATO’s EDT journey underscores a collective effort to meet the demands of today while proactively preparing for the uncertainties of tomorrow.