When: Wednesday, May 15, 2019, 8:30 a.m. — 5:45 p.m.
Where: The Brookings Institution, Saul/Zilkha Room, 1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
What:
As social media and smartphones have spread across the globe, so too have new and more virulent forms of terrorism. From Syria and Sri Lanka to Christchurch and Pittsburgh, jihadi groups and far-right extremists alike have learned to exploit each new innovation online, be it live-streaming apps or encrypted messaging. The resulting attacks have been devastating in their scope and reach.
On May 15, Brookings will host the inaugural conference of the Global Research Network on Terrorism and Technology, a new independent consortium that aims to better understand the linkages between technology and terrorism. Led by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in the United Kingdom, the Global Research Network seeks to explore how new technologies enable and constrain terrorist activity. How do terrorist networks operate online? What are the ethics of content moderation for technology companies? What is the interplay between online content and offline actions?
The inaugural symposium of the Global Research Network will showcase original research on these and related issues. Drawing on independent research from think tanks and universities across the world, the full-day conference will feature panels and policy debates from leading experts and analysts on technology and terrorism, and will bring together officials and leaders from academia, civil society, government, and the technology sector. By presenting the latest research on terrorism and technology to a wide array of stakeholders, the event aims to inform policy and technology audiences not just about how terrorist groups exploit technology, but what can be done about it.
This event will be live webcast. Follow the conversation on Twitter using #TerrorismAndTech.
Agenda
8:30 a.m. -- Breakfast and registration
9:00 a.m. -- Welcome
9:05 a.m. -- Introduction to the GRNTT
9:30 a.m. -- Research panel: Regional perspectives
10:45 a.m. -- Break
11:00 a.m. -- Research panel: Capabilities
12:15 p.m. -- Lunch
1:00 p.m. -- The tech perspective: What is the current state of play on user and content moderation?
1:45 p.m. -- Research panel: Regulation, legislation, and partnerships
2:45 p.m. -- Break
3:15 p.m. -- Research panel: Jihadi and far-right terrorism: Online pathways and prevention
4:15 p.m. -- Policy panel: The future of terrorism and tech
5:30 p.m. -- Closing remarks
5:45 p.m. -- Networking and light refreshments
This event has reached capacity and registration is now closed.