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01
Lessons from Ukraine
PANEL 01 · FUTURE OF WARDrones, satellites, and battlefield software: how smaller states can build credible deterrence.
CYBER & DEFENSE CONFERENCEPRISHTINA, KOSOVO / 2026
THIS YEAR'S THEME · DEFENDX 2026The Future of AI
The Future of AI
in National Security.
INNOVATION CENTRE KOSOVO · PRISHTINË01 / 06 ↓
THE DATE19 November 2026
THE TIME09:00 — 12:30
THE PLACEInnovation Centre Kosovo
02THE MISSION
AI is changing
how nations defend.
A forum in Prishtina on technology, alliances, and the future of national security.
DEFENDX 2026 brings together government officials, international fellows, industry, and researchers to examine how artificial intelligence is transforming intelligence, cyber, military, and diplomatic operations, and what small democracies like Kosovo must do to keep pace.
Discover DEFENDX02
Allied technology
PANEL 02 · COOPERATIONTrusted supply chains, shared standards, and joint research among allies and partners.
03
AI and the state
PANEL 03 · NATIONAL SECURITYHow governments adopt AI and how democracies stay ahead of authoritarian rivals.
03THE KEYNOTES
Three keynote voices.
DEFENDX 2026
Ylber Bajraktari
Vice President, Special Competitive Studies ProjectOpening keynote on how AI is reshaping the balance of power and what it means for national security.
Daniel Serwer
Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)Keynote remarks on alliances, security, and how smaller democracies navigate a changing world.
TBC
KEYNOTE 03To be confirmed
Keynote speaker · announcement soonThe third keynote voice for DEFENDX 2026 will be announced soon.
04THE 2026 PROGRAM
Ideas. In action.
EDITION 04 · 202619 November 2026
8 SESSIONS09:00
Registration & Doors Open
ARRIVAL09:30
Welcome Remarks
09:35
Opening Keynote
How AI is reshaping the balance of power and what it means for national security.
SPEAKER
Ylber BajraktariVice President, Special Competitive Studies Project
09:45
Keynote Remarks
Alliances, security, and how smaller democracies navigate a changing world.
SPEAKER
Daniel SerwerSenior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS
10:00
Ukraine and the Future of War
PANEL 01Putin's war against Ukraine has tragically become the proving ground for modern warfare. Cheap attritable drones, commercial satellite imagery and connectivity, battlefield software, and rapid innovation at the front have changed how wars are fought and how smaller states can defend against larger adversaries. This panel will examine critical lessons for national security from the war, and how nations such as Kosovo can build credible deterrence against hybrid threats through new technologies.
PANEL SPEAKER
Kateryna StepanenkoRussia Team Lead & Deputy Director of the Cognitive Warfare Project, Institute for the Study of War
PANEL SPEAKER
Bryan DaughertyUkraine Program Manager, Spirit of America
PANEL SPEAKER
Enis HyseniExperienced Systems & AI & Drone Engineer, MIGA SkyShield
10:50
The Alliance Infrastructure for Technology Cooperation
PANEL 02As technology becomes central to economic strength and national security, no nation can secure its future alone. Trusted supply chains, shared standards, secure digital infrastructure, and joint research increasingly depend on allies and partners working together in critical tech areas. This panel will feature perspectives from Western government officials and industry partners on technology cooperation, and the opportunities and risks for nations like Kosovo in the global tech competition.
PANEL SPEAKER
Pavlina PavlovaFounder, Critical Cyber
PANEL SPEAKER
Dylan GlouryDirector AI Security Policy, Department of Home Affairs
PANEL SPEAKER
Megan ShahiDirector, Technology Policy, Center for American Progress
11:40
The Future of AI and National Security
PANEL 03Artificial intelligence is transforming the conduct, cost, and scale of nations' intelligence, cyber, information, military, diplomatic, and other national security operations. This panel will focus on how AI technology is evolving, how governments can adopt AI tools for their national security and public service missions, and how democracies can stay ahead of authoritarian competitors.
PANEL SPEAKER
Ben LuriaCo-Founder and CEO, Hirundo
FURTHER PARTICIPANTS
To be confirmed
12:30
Networking Lunch
05PAST EDITIONS
Three editions so far.
EDITION 03 · 2025
DEFENDX 2025 — AI attacks & defense
Concluded · 09 December 2025 · Innovation Centre KosovoLive AI security demos and an open discussion with SMEs and enterprises.
View edition EDITION 02 · 2024DEFENDX 2024
ConcludedProgram details for this edition are being added.
View edition EDITION 01 · 2023DEFENDX 2023 — the first edition
ConcludedProgram details for this edition are being added.
View edition05ORGANIZERS
SPECIAL COMPETITIVE STUDIES PROJECT
