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Munich, Germany – For decades, the Munich Security Conference has been synonymous with discussions of tanks, troops and treaties. But at this year’s gathering, which opened February 13, 2026, a significant shift is underway. Cyber risks, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are no longer peripheral concerns; they’ve become central to the architecture of global security, demanding a re-evaluation of how Europe approaches defense and geopolitical strategy.
European leaders are grappling with a world where digital threats are deeply intertwined with traditional geopolitical tensions. The conference reflects this reality, with sponsors like the Tech Strategy Initiative explicitly incorporating technological frontier issues into the program, signaling a broader recognition that debates once confined to tech policy circles now belong at the forefront of security discourse. This year’s conference underscores a fundamental change: technology is no longer simply a tool of security policy, but a foundational pillar for it.
On the opening day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a stark message: the post-World War II order is fraying, and Europe cannot afford to take its digital or geopolitical defenses for granted. This sentiment set the tone for discussions where cyber threats and disinformation campaigns were discussed alongside conventional military concerns. The increasing intensity of attacks targeting critical infrastructure – from power grids to military supply chains – is driving a coordinated response between the public and private sectors, according to defense analysts.
The Rise of Cyber as a Strategic Priority
A key takeaway from early sessions was a call from Germany’s intelligence leadership for greater latitude to counter hybrid threats, particularly cyberattacks and digital sabotage linked to geopolitical rivals. This request signals a clear understanding that state security extends far beyond physical borders and into the digital realm. The Munich Security Conference [https://securityconference.org/en/] has long been a leading forum for debating international security policy, and this year’s focus on technology demonstrates its evolving relevance in a rapidly changing world.
France’s Emmanuel Macron, in his keynote address, emphasized the need for Europe to become a geopolitical power, a vision that encompasses not only traditional diplomatic and military strength but as well robust domestic tech capabilities and digital resilience. This framing highlights a subtle but significant shift: technology is being woven into Europe’s strategic autonomy narrative. For years, the European Union’s policy focused on digital sovereignty through regulation – including the AI Act, data protection laws, and competition regulations – but in Munich, these topics are now being discussed in direct relation to security and defense priorities.
From Regulation to Resilience: A New Approach to Tech
Officials and experts are increasingly framing AI and cyber resilience not just as economic or ethical issues, but as core national security concerns. Cyber, in particular, has moved beyond a niche status. The Munich Cyber Security Conference, a related event, reflects a growing realization that a traditional defense strategy is incomplete without a robust digital component. The Technology Program at the Munich Security Conference [https://securityconference.org/en/topics/technology/] highlights the importance of understanding how technology permeates all aspects of statecraft, and security.
This shift has significant implications for the European tech sector. If governments treat cyber and AI as strategic assets, they are likely to push industry to exceed compliance standards, incentivize domestic innovation over outsourcing, and prioritize interoperable defense technologies. This could reshape investment flows and R&D priorities for European startups and tech leaders in the coming decade. A joint declaration signed by Canada and Germany on February 15, 2026, on the margins of the conference, further demonstrates this commitment to collaboration in the field of AI [https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2026/02/canada-and-germany-sign-ai-joint-declaration-and-launch-sovereign-technology-alliance.html].
European Autonomy and the Future of Security Cooperation
Underlying the diplomatic discussions is a growing recognition that while alliances, particularly with the United States, remain crucial, they cannot be the sole guarantor of European security. This has implications for tech policy, potentially leading to the tailoring of AI standards to European norms, investment in sovereign semiconductor supply chains, and the development of digital infrastructure less reliant on external cloud and data platforms.
European leaders are also exploring new security cooperation mechanisms, potentially modeled after intelligence-sharing networks like the “Five Eyes,” but with greater European participation. Discussions are underway regarding an EU-led initiative to coordinate multinational defense efforts in the cyber domain. A side event at the conference, “Ctrl-Alt-Deterrence: Rethinking Stability in the Age of Cyber, AI, and Autonomy” [https://www.ieai.sot.tum.de/event/munich-security-conference-2026-side-event-ctrl-alt-deterrence-rethinking-stability-in-the-age-of-cyber-ai-and-autonomy/], underscored the need to reassess traditional deterrence strategies in light of these emerging technologies.
The 2026 Munich Security Conference clearly demonstrates how Europe is rethinking its place in a world where digital and geopolitical risks are inextricably linked. The discussions reinforce a shift in how policymakers, defense chiefs, and industry leaders view modern threats – not as abstract data problems, but as strategic concerns that shape alliances, domestic policy choices, and industrial priorities. As technology continues to evolve, its role in shaping the future of European security will only become more pronounced.
What comes next will depend on how effectively Europe can translate these discussions into concrete policies and investments. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the continent can forge a path towards greater digital sovereignty and resilience, and establish itself as a true geopolitical power in the 21st century. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
