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2024 Conference on AI & National Security

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly integral to national and global security strategies. How are researchers leveraging AI to help predict terrorist attacks, reshape terror group behavior and combat misinformation? How could AI help us achieve more effective outcomes in diplomatic negotiations? How are new AI techniques helping to predict cyber-attacks before they occur and mitigate them in real time when they do?

Gain insights from leading experts in AI, cybersecurity and national security at the annual Conference on AI & National Security hosted by the Northwestern Security & AI Lab (NSAIL) and cosponsored by University College Cork and the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics. Jointly housed at Northwestern University’s Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and McCormick School of Engineering, NSAIL conducts fundamental research in AI relevant to issues of cybersecurity and counterterrorism and presents at venues for public policy discussion and negotiation, including the United Nations, Capitol Hill and the Mumbai Stock Exchange.

This year’s conference will feature a range of presentations showcasing new AI technologies and panel discussions offering insights from leading researchers, security strategists and more. Conference attendees are also invited to attend a working lunch with live demonstrations of advanced AI technologies and tools developed at NSAIL.

This event will take place on Thursday, October 17th at 1800 Sherman Ave, Suite 3-000, Evanston IL 60201. Register to attend in-person or virtually via Zoom and view the full conference agenda below:

AGENDA

8:15-8:50 AM: Registration & Continental Breakfast

Moderator for Morning Sessions: Prof. Larry Birnbaum, Dept. of Computer Science, Northwestern University

8:50-9:00 AM: Welcome Address

  • Prof. Eric Perreault, Vice President for Research, Northwestern University
  • Deborah Cohen, Executive Director, Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, Northwestern University

9:00-9:35 AM: Counterterrorism & AI

  • V.S. Subrahmanian, Lab Head, Walter P. Murphy Professor of Computer Science at the McCormick School of Engineering and Northwestern Buffett Faculty Fellow

9:35-9:45 AM: Demonstration of the Drone Early Warning System

  • Dr. Valerio La Gatta, National Security & AI Lab, Northwestern University

9:45-10:45 AM: Panel on AI & Counterterrorism

Moderator: Herwin Meerveld, Coordinator of Netherlands DoD Data Science Center of Excellence

  • Vice Admiral (Ret.) Mark Mellett, Chief of Defence Forces, Ireland
  • Prof. Bruce Hoffman, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
  • Dr. Roy Lindelauf, Head of Data Science Center of Excellence at Netherlands Ministry of Defence

10:45-11:00 AM: Break

11:00-11:30 AM: Responsible AI in the Military,

  • Prof. Barry O’Sullivan, University College Cork, Ireland

11:30 AM-12:30 PM: Panel on Responsible Use of AI in the Military

Moderator: Prof. Marie Postma, Chair, Dept. of Computer Science, Tilburg University, The Netherlands

12:30-1:45 PM: Lunch + Tech Demonstrations

Moderator for Afternoon Sessions: Prof. Barry O’Sullivan, University College Cork

1:45-2:30 PM: AI & Cybersecurity

  • Prof. V.S. Subrahmanian, Northwestern University

2:30-2:40 PM: Demonstration of Generative Phishing Models

  • Natalia Denisenko, Northwestern University

2:40-2:50 PM: Demonstration of Generative Malware Models

  • Dr. Marco Postiglione, Northwestern University

2:50-3:15 PM: Coffee and Snack Break

3:15-4:15 PM: Panel on AI & Cybersecurity

Moderator: Prof. Barry O’Sullivan, University College Bork

  • Theodore Bruckbauer, Deputy CISO, Chicago Mercantile Exchange
  • Sanjay Sood, CTO, CDW Inc.

4:15-5:15 PM: Wine & Cheese Reception

 

Co-Sponsored by: