UNIDIR conference to spotlight how AI is reshaping global security

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in security and defence, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics will take place on 18-19 June 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and online.

Held under UNIDIR’s Roundtable for AI, Security and Ethics initiative and co-sponsored by Microsoft, the conference will bring together diplomats, policymakers, military officials, industry leaders, researchers and civil society to examine how AI is already shaping security – and what this means for global governance.

The conference takes place at a critical moment as governments move from conceptual discussions towards implementation. Advances in AI capabilities, coupled with growing international attention to its security implications, are accelerating efforts to develop shared approaches to risk management, accountability and international cooperation.

The challenge before us is no longer whether AI will influence international peace and security, but how we shape that influence. The pace of technological change is outstripping many existing governance frameworks. Bringing together diverse perspectives is essential to better understand emerging risks, identify opportunities, and strengthen international cooperation.

The two-day programme is structured around four thematic tracks: