Cyber Defence and Artificial Intelligence Conference

Event Description
On September 6–7, 2023, the Cyber Defence and Artificial Intelligence Conference took place at the Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague. The event was opened by Kristina Soukupová, who welcomed experts from the fields of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and related disciplines. The entire conference was organized based on the demand of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, underlining its strategic importance for national security and defense structures.

For the first time, representatives from Venture capital participated in the conference, opening new opportunities for financing innovative projects. Conference served as a key impulse for the strategic establishment of cooperation between the Command of Cyber and Information Forces of the Czech Armed Forces and CTU. This collaboration resulted in the presentation of four projects submitted to national grant calls, all showcased during the event.

On the first day, participants attended keynote speeches focused on the deployment of modern technologies, cyber defense, and the potential of artificial intelligence. The day continued with discussions, Q&A sessions, and practical demonstrations of how new trends can be applied in security practices. The second day focused on gathering intelligence on adversaries, real-world applications of AI in defense projects, and a panel discussion addressing the critical question of how to maintain a technological edge in the era of emerging disruptive technologies (EDTs).

Speakers and Participants
Among the key speakers was Radek Haratek, Commander of Cyber and Information Forces of the Czech Armed Forces, who addressed challenges related to cyber warfare. Robert Harward, a former Navy SEAL and former Chief Executive for Lockheed Martin in the Middle East, highlighted the strategic importance of artificial intelligence on the battlefield and the role of drones, including „drone swarms“.

Marcel „Otto“ Yon pointed out the need to eliminate bureaucratic barriers to enable faster deployment of new technologies in defense. Jan Kleindienst (MAMA AI) discussed the typical requirements for implementing AI in military environments and presented the MAMA AI Defence platform. Martin Saska, head of the multi-robot systems group at CTU, introduced coordinated, jamming-resistant drones, which have broad applications beyond the military sector.

Event Outcomes

Participants agreed that, in the context of current conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and drone technologies are becoming increasingly significant. The discussions highlighted that the deployment of these innovations can be significantly accelerated if the academic sector, industry, and military forces collaborate from the very beginning.
This concept became fundamental in establishing cooperation between the Command of Cyber and Information Forces and CTU, which led to the development of projects submitted to national calls.

The presence of a venture capital representative, a historic first for this conference, further supported discussions on the necessity of increasing investments in defense technologies. Initial talks about potential investments began in 2023, opening new pathways for financing projects at both national and international levels.

Additionally, representatives of the Czech Armed Forces emphasized their openness to “non-traditional partners”, expressing their willingness to leverage their knowledge and expertise. Finally, the conference discussions underscored the need for increased investments in defense technologies—ensuring that the Czech Republic keeps pace with global developments and can implement new solutions into real-world operations as swiftly as possible.

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