As we enter 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) stands as perhaps the most transformative force in global security, potentially reshaping how nations protect their interests and respond to threats. The past two years have seen an unprecedented acceleration in AI capabilities, particularly in multimodal systems that integrate text, vision, speech, and, to a gradually increasing degree, more complex decision-making. This evolution marks a shift from AI as a useful productivity tool to a strategic enabler that could fundamentally alter the character of national security challenges. Democratic nations find themselves at a crossroads where AI presents both extraordinary opportunities and profound vulnerabilities. The ability of allied democracies to coordinate their efforts across national boundaries will be as critical as their technological capabilities in dealing with this rapidly changing, globally connected landscape.
This Ditchley conference will explore the dilemmas that AI poses for national security, bringing together leaders from diverse fields to assess emerging threats, explore responses, and map the infrastructure, capabilities and skills that will be essential for strategic advantage, while respecting democratic values. We will look at how states and the private sector will need to collaborate, within nations and across borders. The discussion will build on Ditchley’s earlier AI and defence meetings but also the Strategic Technologies Investors’ Council discussion that Ditchley staged in November 2024, which brought together officials and venture capital and private equity investors from the US and UK.
Terms of Reference
Programme
Travel Guidance
Ditchley Rule:
Participants are reminded of the confidential basis on which Ditchley conferences are held. All those participating do so in their personal capacities, not as spokespeople for any country or institution. The discussions are subject to the ‘Ditchley Rule’: all contributions are unattributable and interventions are made in strict confidence; this also applies to conversations outside the formal sessions. Those present are, however, free to draw on the substance of what has been said, but not under any circumstances to disclose who it was that said it. The Rule will be scrupulously observed in any post-conference reports.
Attire:
Ditchley conferences are informal (business casual) throughout, except for dinner on the second evening. It is a Ditchley tradition that dress for the formal dinner on the second evening is Black Tie. However, this is not at all a requirement - please be assured that you will feel entirely comfortable in a business suit or another form of evening attire, whether modern or traditional. It is worth noting that, although Sir David Wills, the founder of the Ditchley Foundation, instigated the tradition of Black Tie dinners, he never wore Black Tie himself. He wanted to ensure that no one would feel uncomfortable if they had not come with formal clothes. That captures the Ditchley spirit.