Innovations Dialogue 2025: Neurotechnologies and their implications for international peace and security
On 24 November 2025, Geneva will host a pivotal conversation about the future of warfare and human enhancement at UNIDIR’s Innovations Dialogue 2025, under the theme ‘Neurotechnologies and their Implications for International Peace and Security.‘ The event will take place both in person at the Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG) and online, making it accessible to a truly global audience.
Organised by UNIDIR’s Security & Technology Programme, this annual flagship event offers a rare, neutral forum for dialogue among governments, neuroscientists, legal experts, civil society and the technical community.
From brain-computer interfaces to cognitive enhancement tools, neurotechnologies are advancing rapidly, raising questions about ethical use, human rights, and potential military applications. The dialogue examines these technologies not only for their promise but also for the challenges they pose, including the risk of misuse and the need for governance frameworks that can keep pace with innovation.
UNIDIR Director Dr Robin Geiss will open with a keynote that frames the discussion within the context of international security. Panel 1 will dive into what neurotechnologies are, where they stand today, and where they might go — featuring lightning talks from leading neuroscientists. In a live demo, Dr Nataliya Kosmyna (MIT Media Lab) will show a drone flight controlled via a brain‑computer interface.
Panel 2 explores the risks: from human rights concerns to ethical dilemmas, with insight from experts like Dr Damian Eke and Milena Costas Trascasas. Panel 3 turns to the military dimension, with leading figures such as Dr Margaret Kosal and Dr Łukasz Kamieński examining both current uses and future trends, as well as strategic risks. Panel 4 closes with governance: thinkers like Dr Adedeji Ebo, Professor Marilyne Andersen, and Ambassador Claudia Fuentes-Julio will explore both existing norms and bold new models for oversight.
In parallel, a poster exhibition will run throughout the event, showcasing research and policy proposals on ‘Promoting responsible neurotechnology in the military domain.’ It’s a platform for bold, forward-looking ideas — from technical innovation to risk mitigation and governance.
This edition of the Innovations Dialogue is co-sponsored by a coalition of states and organisations, including the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and Microsoft.
Through this gathering, UNIDIR aims to chart a responsible path forward — envisioning how neurotechnologies can be harnessed to benefit humanity, without becoming a destabilising force in global security.