In the last few years, the field of transformative technologies has expanded at a dizzying rate. While scientific advances can offer untold benefits to humanity, they also pose a myriad of thorny questions about equality, ethics, security – and our very existence.

This course examines the latest developments in transformative technologies, including but not limited to Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous weapons, Big Data, and virtual reality. It examines the short and long-term ramifications of these technologies in today’s interconnected world.

This course provides a comprehensive and analytical overview of transformative technologies and the revolutionary impact they could have on the future of humanity.

It includes group work, lectures and participant-led discussions. This stimulating environment enables participants to engage in a challenging topic and explore the latest developments in a cutting-edge domain. The presentations, given by international experts, will address a number of aspects of the field of transformative technologies.

Learning objectives

The course is interactive and employs different teaching methodologies including group work, lectures and participant-led discussions.

It comprises lectures by international experts and will provide participants with a comprehensive and analytical overview of the role that transformative technologies have started to play in many fields, as well as their ethical and security implications.

Participants will also gain better understanding of how transformative innovations will impact future conflicts, and develop four key competences:

• define and understand the impact of transformative technologies;
• analyse the impact of such technologies on questions of moral philosophy and global security;
• adopt critical thinking skills for analysing the impact of transformative technologies;
• identify key future risks and debates surrounding advances in these technologies.

Our course on Transformative Technologies provides participants with a comprehensive and analytical overview of the impact of transformative technologies across several domains, including their ethical and security implications. In addition, the course will further participants’ understanding of how transformative technologies will impact the future of warfare.

Course requirements

All information you need to know (language, certification, technical and application process) before applying to the GCSP are available here.

You will receive a GCSP certificate once you have completed all the course modules to the satisfaction of the course director.

This course is designed for officials from governments and international organisations, as well as members of the security and defence policy planning and the intelligence communities. This course is also relevant to representatives from the private sector and nongovernmental organisations, journalists, and anyone with a professional interest in understanding future international security challenges.

The GCSP reserves the right to modify the programme dates, location and fee at any time.
15% Early-Bird Discount if you apply before 18 September 2023. GCSP Alumni qualify for a 20% discount on the standard rate of 250 CHF.