Maintaining Democracy's Technological Edge
Stanford University’s Inaugural
Technological Innovation and National Security Conference
Hauck Auditorium, David and Joan Traitel Building, Hoover Institution
Wednesday November 1, 2023
Aligning the best of Stanford University, the U.S. Government, and America’s innovation engine—Silicon Valley—to tackle the world’s emerging technological national security challenges.
Traitel Building Pavilion
Visitors can visit the registration desk to receive their badges and instructions for the day’s events.
David and Joan Traitel Building Pavilion and Fairweather patio
– Hauck Auditorium
We proudly announce Steve Blank as our inaugural technological innovation keynote speaker.
Since arriving in Silicon Valley in 1978, Steve has seared his mark on the technological innovation landscape. After 21 years in 8 tech startups, including Rocket Science, Ardent, and E.piphany, Steve has since turned his attention to the mentorship of the next generation of founders.
From serial entrepreneur to serial author (Four Steps to the Epiphany, The Startup Owners Manual, and many more) and educator, Steve has been a force behind the emergence of many of Stanford’s most popular courses.
After founding Hacking for Defense and Hacking for Diplomacy, Steve launched another course: Technology, Innovation, and National Security. Each has become a critical nodes for cross-campus collaboration and debate.
Finally, Steve co-founded the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation.
This inaugural conference culminates his years of dedication to this problem-set.
– Hauck Auditorium
Exploring the relevance of the conflict to America, its impact on democracy, the Technological innovations of war seen throughout the conflict, ongoing and future support to the Ukrainians, and more.
Moderated by Josh Pickering
The Open-Source Intelligence Revolution — Hauck Auditorium
From social media to big data to satellite imagery, a growing array of publicly and commercially available information sources are providing critical insights on U.S. competitors and adversaries. How can the U.S. and allied national security organizations better harness OSINT to advance key defense and intelligence missions for strategic competition?
Moderated by Brian Katz
The Autonomous Edge: Ethics and the Art of War — Vidalakis
The ethical implications surrounding lethal autonomous weapons is complex and essential to navigate for the U.S. to uphold its strategic advantage in the coming decades. How long can we keep humans in the kill chain? What does responsible use of lethal AI look like? How can the U.S. maintain its superiority on the battlefield and in the court of public opinion? Join leading experts as they discuss the convergence of cutting-edge technology, morality, and military strategy, shedding light on the trajectory of warfare and the complex moral dilemmas at hand.
Moderated by Mike Arth
– Traitel Building Pavilion
– Hauck Auditorium
The Trump Administration’s 2017 National Security Strategy shifted Washington’s strategic gaze towards Great Power Strategic threats and postured the U.S. government for a protracted competition with China and Russia. In bipartisan fashion, the Biden Administration has continued this effort, with continuations in policy that remind many of Washington’s Cold War grand strategy.
Technology is perhaps the most important domain through which China intends to pace the U.S. To ensure we can promote the values of the free world for generations to come, we must secure our technological edge in this great power competition with China. Securing our technological edge involves a combination of creating the conditions that spur critical technology advancement and protection. America’s market-driven innovation ecosystem must outlast the Chinese Communist Party’s top-down model.
Moderated by Bryce Mitchell
Artificial Intelligence and Global Competitiveness— Vidalakis
Artificial Intelligence will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defense, bringing about revolutionary capabilities and new ways of conducting military operations. Advancements in AI, driven by groundbreaking research and development from academia and increasingly fueled by multi-billion dollar private sector investments have moved AI to the forefront of global technological competition.
Beyond the battlefield, AI is intricately shaping the terrain of technological rivalry where global AI leadership could dictate geopolitical influence, economic resilience, and strategic advantage. This panel will discuss the security considerations, economic implications, and regulatory considerations of AI-driven tech competition, the integration of private sector innovations into public sector applications especially in defense, and how the West can maintain a competitive edge in AI amidst rapid global advancements.
Moderated by Ethan Klein
Investing for Innovation — Hauck Auditorium
How are investors identifying opportunities, selecting firms, and placing investments in dual-use, commercial, and defense technology?
Moderated by Ernestine Fu Brave Capital
– Hauck Auditorium
We proudly announce Dr. Condoleezza Rice as our closing keynote speaker!
Condoleezza Rice is the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and a Senior Fellow on Public Policy. She is the Denning Professor in Global Business and the Economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In addition, she is a founding partner of Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC, an international strategic consulting firm.
From January 2005 to January 2009, Rice served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the second woman and first black woman to hold the post. Rice also served as President George W. Bush’s Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor) from January 2001 to January 2005, the first woman to hold the position.
Rice served as Stanford University’s provost from 1993 to 1999, during which time she was the institution’s chief budget and academic officer. As Professor of Political Science, she has been on the Stanford faculty since 1981 and has won two of the university’s highest teaching honors.
From February 1989 through March 1991, Rice served on President George H.W. Bush’s National Security Council staff. She served as Director, then Senior Director, of Soviet and East European Affairs, as well as Special Assistant to the President for National Security. In 1986, while an International Affairs Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations, Rice also served as Special Assistant to the Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
– Traitel Building Pavilion
Come discuss, reflect, and meet some of the best of Stanford University, the U.S. Government, and America’s innovation engine—Silicon Valley—to tackle the world’s emerging technological national security challenges. Join us.
Industry Innovators.
Policy Experts.
Security Leaders.
Investors.
Stanford brings together the best and brightest to share insights about America’s way forward in a rapidly change world.
(Disclaimer: Chatham House rules- No video or audio recording will be permitted except for by those with official permission. No signage or displays will be permitted other than those approved by the event organizers. We aim to encourage a forum for rich discussion and debate. Violators of these guidelines will be asked to leave. Additional guidelines may be found here )
Stanford Technological Innovation and National Security Conference