Prague, Czechia — 13 September — GLOBSEC, a leading think tank dedicated to fostering global security and stability, is proud to announce a new partnership with Microsoft to support the development of the GeoTech Center embedded in the GLOBSEC US Foundation.

The Center aims to help advance Europe’s capacity to create, shape, scale, and absorb critical technologies on a faster timeline, while aligning efforts between Europe and the United States on future-defining technological advancements.

General John R. Allen, retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general and former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, leads the Center.

At the recent GLOBSEC Forum in Prague, President of Microsoft Brad Smith announced that Microsoft will provide 3 million dollars over three years to support and build out the Center.

With its expertise, the Center will also contribute to the Prague GeoTech Summit, an annual flagship event, which was co-established by the Czech President Petr Pavel. The Prague GeoTech Summit aims to assemble to tier thought leaders, policymakers, business luminaries, and tech visionaries to foster partnerships on tech with the goal of building global democratic policies on critical technologies. During this year’s inaugural Summit in Prague, President Pavel engaged in discussion with senior representatives of several European and US tech companies, such as Microsoft, Amazon, SAAB, Lockheed Martin, Vodafone, Google, Meta, Helsing, Shield AI, Schneider Electric and Deutsche Telekom.

Speaking on the topic, President Pavel urged that “There is no doubt that we need more cooperation, not only between governments and businesses, but also between the EU and the US, or rather all democratic countries of the world. It is time to start breaking down barriers to deepen our cooperation in new technologies”. President Pavel emphasized the initiative will also aim to engage representatives from Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and other democratic countries around the world.

“In the 21st century, technology and innovation have emerged as key factors shaping the global landscape. Countries and regions that align their economies and societies to promote technological progress will have a long-term advantage in shaping global developments”, said General John R. Allen. “By leveraging GLOBSEC’s superior convening power and the diverse expertise of our contributors, we seek to help shape a future where technological advancements are made responsibly, rapidly, and with transatlantic unity, and, in the end, serve the good of all humanity and the environment. We share this mission and values with Microsoft, and couldn’t be prouder than to have Microsoft join this initiative”

“I am excited to announce our new partnership with Microsoft.” said Petr Pudil, President and Chairman of the Board of the GLOBSEC US Foundation. “In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, having a global innovator like Microsoft on board is critical to achieving our mission of fostering collaboration and stimulating informed debate on the future of technologies. Microsoft leadership in AI, data analytics, and cloud infrastructure and the fact that we share the same values make the company an indispensable partner in our effort to help our societies to responsibly develop and integrate cutting-edge technologies. We are proud to have General Allen lead the work of the Center. His profound insights into technology, military, and policy matters will be invaluable in shaping the goals and work of the Center.”

Elaborating on the mission of the Center and the partnership with Microsoft, President of GLOBSEC Robert Vass said: “We feel that the changes in technology, and in artificial intelligence, are so rapid that they are having a major impact on our national security, and democratic processes. We aim to create additional capacities in our societies to successfully cope with the pace of technological transformation and leverage new technologies to support our democratic values and societal advancements. It’s fundamentally important to have companies like Microsoft to be integral part of our collaborative effort”.

The GeoTech Center will structure its work around three core lines of effort: software for national security, digital technologies for democracies, and critical enabling infrastructure.

The center will work to achieve these broader goals by conducting research, making policy recommendations, informing the thinking of policy, tech and business communities, and by building an engaged network of innovators, policy makers, business leaders, tech experts, and civil society on its platforms. To satisfy its mission, the GeoTech Center will look in the future to recruit a diverse roster of partners from both the US and Europe to encourage multi-faceted approaches and diversity in thinking.

The GeoTech Center will intellectually and administratively run from Washington D.C. while relying on experts and contributors located throughout Europe – Brussels, Prague, Warsaw, Berlin, and other locations – to reflect the emphasis on Europe in our work. The Center is embedded in the work of GLOBSEC US Foundation.

About GLOBSEC

GLOBSEC is a global think-tank headquartered in Bratislava committed to enhancing security, prosperity and sustainability in Europe and throughout the world. Its mission is to influence the future by generating new ideas and solutions for a better and safer world. We believe we can change the world by putting together the right stakeholders at the right time for a free exchange of ideas.

About GLOBSEC US Foundation

GLOBSEC US Foundation is a non-partisan, not-for-profit public policy organization headquartered in Washington, DC, committed to enhancing security, prosperity, and sustainability, with a particular focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Operating exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes, GLOBSEC US Foundation aspires to educate about the realities of geopolitical situations and geostrategic relationships of Central and Eastern Europe to better inform American communities.

For more information, please contact: alena.kudzko@globsec.org

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