APPSNO 2025: Emerging Technology Risks and National Security

The Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO) 2025 was held at Pan Pacific Singapore from 6 – 11 April 2025. Organised by the Centre for Excellence for National Security (CENS) with support from the National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the programme’s theme was “Emerging Technology Risks and National Security”.

Speakers from a range of nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Japan, Switzerland, India, Indonesia, and Singapore shared their expertise and experiences on the following topics:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and National Security Challenges: Impact and Mitigation: This panel covered potential risks from AI, its role as a potentially disruptive technology, related cybersecurity and governance issues, and mitigation measures.
2. Quantum Technology and National Security: Potential Challenges: This panel explored the impact of quantum technology on national security (e.g., cryptography, finance, cyber), related challenges, as well as what states could do to prepare for such risks.
3. Emerging Technologies and Economic Security: This panel provided an overview of technology-related economic security measures deployed by states today, potential effects on economic development, and discuss strategies to maintain access to technology whilst navigating tech-related economic measures.
4. Biotechnology, Biohazards, and National Security: This panel discussed how new technologies could heighten bio-security risks to national security, guardrails, policy approaches, and how states could collaborate to tackle cross-border biosecurity threats.
5. Supply Chains and National Security: This panel covered how supply chain disruptions and interference, including technology supply chains (e.g. ICT components), could impact national security, and potential solutions for ensuring supply chain security and resilience.