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How is AI changing the way militaries understand the battlefield, plan operations and make decisions? Palantir has emerged as a key defence technology provider, helping US and allied forces connect data across domains and turn it into operational advantage. Its Maven Smart System, acquired by NATO for Allied Command Operations, brings together data integration, AI-assisted analysis and shared situational awareness to support faster, better-informed decisions. This discussion-workshop serves as an opportunity to look beyond the AI headlines and explore what is Palantir, its offering for armed forces - Maven Smart Systems - and how it shapes modern military operations.

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Despite rising defence budgets, Europe still has deficiencies in the capabilities, coordination, structures, and funding needed to independently defend its borders. As security threats to Europe are becoming more immediate, RUSI has been running a Track 1.5 research and outreach Task Force to bring together European policy and industry leaders to focus on priorities for improving the capabilities necessary to defend Europe or deter a conventional threat, especially in circumstances where the US is less engaged – or even entirely absent – in NATO and transatlantic security. This discussion will present some of the initial conclusions of that work.

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Russia’s efforts to influence the West go beyond disinformation. By exploiting historical narratives, social divisions and declining trust in democratic institutions, the Kremlin seeks to shape how Western societies understand events, perceive threats and make decisions. This discussion will explore how Russia’s worldview and use of cognitive warfare shape the information environment, why Western societies are vulnerable to these efforts, and how democracies can strengthen their resilience.

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The side event will also be attended by Sergeant (OR-4) Tymofii Kolesov, Commander of the 1st Squad, Strike Unmanned Aerial Systems Platoon. The pilot will be available afterwards to answer more technical questions related to drone operations, battlefield applications, and countering russian drones and tactics.

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This discussion will explore how lessons from Ukraine can be translated into the Lithuanian and Swedish contexts, with a particular focus on strengthening societal resilience against hybrid threats. It will examine how the two countries (governments, municipalities, businesses, civil society and citizens) can better prepare in peacetime to protect critical infrastructure and essential services, respond to foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), and strengthen cooperation between public institutions, businesses, civil society and citizens. Drawing on Ukraine’s experience, the discussion will consider what practical measures can be put in place before a crisis to ensure that societies are able to withstand disruption, adapt and continue functioning.

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Ukraine’s experience has shown that effective civilian protection is not just about building shelters, but about ensuring that people and essential services can continue functioning during prolonged disruption. The panel will explore how shelter infrastructure can be designed as part of a wider resilience system – linked to education, energy security, local planning and continuity of public services – and how lessons from Ukraine can help strengthen civil preparedness and resilience across Europe.

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GLOBSEC Trends 2026 provides a comparative picture of public attitudes with a particularly strong focus on security and defence, perceptions of geopolitical threats, and the societal implications of AI. On defence, the survey examines public willingness to defend one’s country, perceptions of national preparedness for a major crisis or war, attitudes towards compulsory military service and higher defence spending, and support for stronger European defence capabilities. It also explores the future of the transatlantic security relationship, including perceptions of the US role in European security, confidence in NATO commitments, and whether Europe should assume greater responsibility for its own defence.

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Culture is more than a reflection of a society: in times of war and crisis, it becomes a sourceof resilience, a means of preserving national identity, and a powerful tool for sustaining morale and mobilising international support. Russia’s war against Ukraine has demonstrated that defending a country also means protecting its cultural heritage, strengthening the spirit of its people, and countering attempts to manipulate history, identity and public perception. Culture can serve both as a shield, helping societies withstand adversity, and a saber, allowing them to communicate their story, challenge hostile narratives, and defend their identity. The panel will explore these interconnected roles through three distinct perspectives.