The Mind as a Battlefield

Event Description
On April 24, 2023, a conference titled “The Mind as a Battlefield” took place, organized by the Third Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, the DefSec Innovation Hub, the Center for Advanced Brain and Consciousness Studies at the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ), and the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM. This essential conference launched collaboration among DefSec Innovation Hub, NUDZ, and the Czech Armed Forces, leading to NUDZ subsequently being awarded a CZK 140 million project focused on further research and defense development in the field of cognitive warfare.

The main goal of the event was to introduce the phenomenon known as cognitive warfare and foster an interdisciplinary debate on the influence of disinformation campaigns, manipulative strategies, and hostile information operations on both individuals and society as a whole. Participants learned about the mechanisms of cognitive attacks, discussed potential defenses from the perspectives of psychology, neuroscience, and technology, and underscored the need for more intensive cooperation among the defense sector, academia, and the public.

Participants
Key speakers and panelists included:

  • Prof. Jiří Horáček (Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University & NUDZ), who addressed the impact of cognitive warfare on the human psyche and mental health.
  • Serge da Deppo (NATO Innovation Hub), who emphasized the importance of effective defense against disinformation and cognitive warfare operations for NATO.
  • Kristina Soukupová (DefSec Innovation Hub), who explained the evolution of the cognitive warfare concept in the Czech Republic and within NATO.
  • Karel Šilinger (Command of the Cyber Forces and Information Operations of the Czech Army), who described the activities of foreign powers on Czech territory.
  • Tomáš Zdechovský (European Parliament), who provided insights into EU legislation.
  • Bohumil Kartous (VŠEM, Czech Elves), who presented trends in the Czech disinformation scene and warned about its massive societal impact.

Representatives from the NATO Innovation Hub, Czech Elves, STEM, the Progressive Analytical Center, the European Parliament, and the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic also attended the conference.

Event Outcomes

  • Emphasis on Cognitive Warfare: Participants concurred that the human mind represents a crucial dimension of modern conflicts. Rapid dissemination of disinformation and conspiracy theories can erode morale and the internal structures of society.
  • Need for Interdisciplinary Cooperation: Discussions confirmed that effectively countering manipulative techniques requires collaboration among the defense sector, academics, psychologists, neuroscientists, and IT experts.
  • Impact on Mental Health: According to Prof. Horáček, the digital ecosystem and disinformation campaigns weaken individuals’ psyches over time and polarize society. Essential measures include combining technological solutions with a deep understanding of psychological and neurobiological mechanisms.
  • State and Regulation: Speakers debated a potential action plan against disinformation and the state’s role in regulating social media. They noted the significance of free speech while also stressing the need for legal instruments to protect security and the public interest.
  • Strengthening Societal Resilience: The conference highlighted that education, media literacy, and responsible approaches to information sources are critical for maintaining stability and democratic principles.

The event showed that cognitive warfare is rapidly evolving and demands immediate attention from both experts and the broader public. The organizers committed to ongoing awareness efforts and the pursuit of effective strategies to counter modern threats in the information space.

Partners