Security through Research, Technology and Innovation

The scope of UNICRI is to analyse and understand the global impacts, opportunities and challenges of technological change, including in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, augmented and virtual reality (AR, VR), big data analytics, data science, digital biology and biotech, nanotech and 3D printing, networks and computing systems, supply chain security and decentralized technologies such as blockchain.

Science, technology and innovation can play a pivotal role in development and in facilitating efforts to address issues of global concern, but they can also pose new security challenges if used for malicious purposes.

As a result, UNICRI supports Member States, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, the scientific and academic community, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that they are aware of both the risks and opportunities presented by the latest developments in science and technology, including their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.

UNICRI is focusing on:

1. Identifying and analysing emerging and future security risks due to technology misuse.
2. Mapping technology innovations to address specific security needs.
3. Raising awareness and informing policy-makers about the emerging risks and innovative means to address them, and testing forward-looking technology driven solutions for real global problems.

The main outcomes of UNICRI's interventions are:

1. Reinforced capabilities of Member States, supporting the development of their national strategies on technology and security.
2. Increased capacity of Member States to manage the risks and opportunities of rapid advances in science and technology, including in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR), big data analytics, data science, digital biology and biotech, nanotech and 3D printing, networks and computing systems, supply chain security and decentralized technologies such as blockchain.