OPEN ECHOES Episode #4

An audio reading of “21st Century Information Trends Out to 2040” by Dr. Lawrence A. Kuznar.

Listeners can access the original publication here.

The reading length is 55 minutes.

OPEN Echoes reflects the original thoughts, analyses, and viewpoints shared by academics, thought leaders and non-military experts — spreading ideas, perspectives, and insights across the globe.

It’s our hope that the insights shared in these episodes will help to impact and influence thinking and conversations long after you take off your headphones.

OPEN Echoes alternates episodes between compelling interviews with non-NATO subject matter experts, and readings from OPEN's wide range of publications. In this episode, we present an audio recording of the OPEN Publication, “21st Century Information Trends Out to 2040: The Challenges and Opportunities in the Integration of its Physical, Cognitive, and Virtual Dimensions,” by Dr. Lawrence A. Kuznar.

Listeners should note that this audio reading does not include the references, images or diagrams included in the original publication. References, images and diagrams can be found in the original publication, which can be accessed and downloaded here.

OPEN ECHOES Episode #3

An interview with Dr. Christian Matt

OPEN Echoes reflects the original thoughts, analyses, and viewpoints shared by academics, thought leaders and non-military experts — spreading ideas, perspectives, and insights across the globe.

It’s our hope that the insights shared in these episodes will help to impact and influence thinking and conversations long after you take off your headphones.

OPEN Echoes alternates episodes between compelling interviews with non-NATO subject matter experts, and readings from OPEN's wide range of publications. In this episode, we interview Dr. Christian Matt.

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Dr. Christian Matt is a professor and co-director of the Institute of Information Systems at the University of Bern in Switzerland. He is also the author of "Strategic Aspects of Digital Transportation for Military Organisations." Dr. Matt is fascinated by how digital technologies lead to new opportunities and paradigm shifts for business, public institutes, society, and individuals. With a focus on the managerial aspects of digital transformation and the responsible design of artificial intelligence applications, Dr. Matt conducts research, teaches, and consults with various organizations on their digital future.

This OPEN Echoes interview explores:

- How digital transformation goes beyond technology and requires a comprehensive organizational approach.

- The four dimensions of digital transformation are technological, value creation, organizational changes, and resource planning.

- Where military organizations face challenges in digital transformation, including high security standards and regulatory constraints.

- An emphasis on the need for a balance between agility and security in digital transformation for military organizations.

Dr. Matt’s article, "Strategic Aspects of Digital Transportation for Military Organisations," is available on the OPEN Publications website. [LINKTO: https://issuu.com/spp_plp/docs/open_publication_digital_transformation?fr=sMjRlYzU4MzM2MjU]

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Welcome to OPEN Echoes. OPEN stands for “Other Perspectives Exchange Network.” Our mission is to explore diverse, insightful and sometimes disruptive viewpoints on matters crucial to NATO.

The lightly-edited transcript of this episode’s interview with Dr. Matt follows:

Dave Summers: On today's program we're speaking to Dr. Christian Matt. He's the author of Strategic Aspects of Digital Transportation for military organizations. Hello, Christian, how are you today?

Dr. Christian Matt: Hello, Dave. I'm doing well. Thanks. How are you?

Dave: I'm doing fine. Thank you. The standard question I ask all of our guests is if you don't mind, please introduce yourself to the listeners and give us some background about how you got to where you are in life.

Dr. Matt: . First of all, many thanks for your interest and for having me. Dave, it's a great pleasure. My name is Christian Matt. I'm a professor and co-director of the Institute of Information Systems at the University of Berne in Switzerland.

And as part of my work, I do research and teaching on the topics of managerial aspects of digital transformation, as well as the responsible design of artificial intelligence applications and on these topics, I also consult companies of various clients, supporting them and finding suitable ways into their digital future.

Dave: Who or what inspired you or influenced you to write about this particular issue.

Dr. Matt: Well, in the past 10 years or so, have shown us that digital transformation is often not just a technological challenge. In fact, we see a number of examples of firms and other institutions that might have decent technological skills, but that still do not achieve the level of digital transformation they were actually hoping for.

And in many cases, part of the problem is actually a too strong focus on technological aspects at the same time neglecting one or even several other key dimensions for the success of their digital transformation endeav

OPEN ECHOES Episode #2

An audio reading of The Changing Role of Russia in Space by Dr. Mariel Borowitz.

Listeners can access the original publication at https://issuu.com/spp_plp/docs/the_changing_role_of_russia_in_space?fr=sNjNmNDU4MzM2MjU

The reading length is 56 minutes.

OPEN Echoes reflects the original thoughts, analyses, and viewpoints shared by academics, thought leaders and non-military experts — spreading ideas, perspectives, and insights across the globe.

It’s our hope that the insights shared in these episodes will help to impact and influence thinking and conversations long after you take off your headphones.

OPEN Echoes alternates episodes between compelling interviews with non-NATO subject matter experts, and readings from OPEN's wide range of publications. In this episode, we present an audio recording of the OPEN Publication, The Changing Role of Russia in Space by Dr. Mariel Borowitz.

Listeners should note that this audio reading does not include the references, images or diagrams included in the original publication. References, images and diagrams can be found in the original publication, which can be accessed and downloaded at https://issuu.com/spp_plp/docs/the_changing_role_of_russia_in_space?fr=sNjNmNDU4MzM2MjU

OPEN ECHOES Episode #1

An interview with Dr. Andreas Liaropoulos

OPEN Echoes reflects the original thoughts, analyses, and viewpoints shared by academics, thought leaders and non-military experts — spreading ideas, perspectives, and insights across the globe.  It’s our hope that the insights shared in these episodes will help to impact and influence thinking and conversations long after you take off your headphones. OPEN Echoes alternates episodes between compelling interviews with non-NATO subject matter experts, and readings from OPEN's wide range of publications. In this episode, we interview Dr. Andreas Liaropoulos.

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Dr. Andreas Liaropoulos is an esteemed assistant professor in the Department of International and European Studies at the University of Piraeus in Greece. With a background in international relations and security, Dr. LIAROPOLOUS holds a master's degree in intelligence and strategic studies from Aberystwyth in Wales, and a PhD from Swansea University, focusing on information warfare and military affairs. Over the course of his 10-year research career, Dr. LIAROPOLOUS has dedicated his efforts to understanding the impact of information and communication technology in cyberspace on security, strategy, and warfare. His expertise lies in the realms of information war, information security, propaganda, and strategic communication. Dr. LIAROPOLOUS recently authored a notable article for NATO titled "Information as an Instrument of Power: lessons learned from the war in Ukraine," where he explored the case study of Ukraine's conflict and highlighted the challenges posed by the weaponization of information.

This OPEN Echoes interview explores:

- The profound influence of information warfare and how it affects the entire spectrum of conflicts, ranging from information security to traditional warfare.- The ongoing debate surrounding the weaponization of information and the urgent need for societies to recognize the constant battle for perceptions, trust, and truth in the era of social media platforms and the internet.- The importance of understanding the changing nature of conflict and the critical role of empowered civil societies, government institutions, and the private sector in countering the challenges posed by hybrid warfare.- A call for a holistic approach to addressing the complex issue of information warfare, combining sociopolitical, technical, and cultural perspectives to safeguard democracy and effectively respond to evolving security challenges.

Dr. LIAROPOLOUS article, "Information as an Instrument of Power: lessons learned from the war in Ukraine," is available on the OPEN Publications website. 

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The lightly-edited transcript of this episode’s interview with Dr. LIAROPOLOUS follows:

DAVE: Our guest on today's program is Dr. Andreas Liaropoulos.  He's the author of a NATO OPEN article entitled “Information as an Instrument of Power: lessons learned from the war in Ukraine”. Andreas, so nice to meet you. How are you? 

DR. LIAROPOLOUS: I'm fine. Thank you. I'm looking forward for our conversation. 

DAVE: Absolutely. If you don't mind, please, I find it's better practice to have our guests introduce themselves. So if you could, please just introduce yourself, give us a little bit of your background. Let us know how you got to where you are right now. 

DR. LIAROPOLOUS: Sure, thank you.  Well, right now I'm an assistant professor in the University of Piraeus in Greece and the Department of International and European Studies in general. 

My background is on international relations, international security. I did my master’s on intelligence and strategic studies in Aberystwyth in Wales. I got my PhD in Swansea on information warfare and revolution, military affairs in general. 

And for the people that will have a chance to look at the article, the things I'm working on are in general on information war, information security issues that relate to propaganda, strategic communication and many other fan