AI, Security, and Economic Power: A New Playbook for Democracies

AI is becoming a core driver of economic strength, industrial competitiveness, and geopolitical influence. This session explores how democratic states can build and protect AI capabilities that underpin their long‑term prosperity: from resilient supply chains and critical infrastructure to strategic technologies, data, and talent. With insights from Europe’s policy debates and US national security and economic practice, Sebastian Kurz and Under Secretary Jacob Helberg will discuss how governments should think about AI‑enabled economic risks and opportunities, what capabilities they actually need, and how to balance openness, innovation, and security in an era of intense global competition.