17 February 2026 17:59 UTC · NATO · NATO News · Source · Email X Link

NATO releases Science & Technology Macro Trends Report 2025–2045

Key points

Identifies six key science and technology trends
Predicts AI and quantum will be central to future competition

TL;DR

NATO STO released the Science & Technology Macro Trends Report 2025–2045 on 9 April 2025
Report identifies six key trends: evolving competition areas; the race for AI and quantum superiority; biotechnology revolution; resource divide; fragmenting public trust; and technology integration and dependencies
Report states advances in AI, quantum and synthetic biology will transform competition and defence; Dr Bryan Wells stressed continued S&T investment will strengthen NATO and Allies' readiness

Original text

Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password. 09 April 2025 2 MIN READ On Wednesday (9 April), The NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) released its Science & Technology Macro Trends Report 2025–2045. The report identifies six key trends that will be important for NATO in the next 20 years: evolving competition areas; the race for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum superiority; biotechnology revolution; resource divide; fragmenting public trust; and technology integration and dependencies. The report assesses that, as global strategic competition intensifies, advances in science and technology will transform how nations compete. It predicts that AI and quantum technologies will be at the centre of such competition and continue to revolutionise industries, including in the defence and security sectors. Advances in synthetic biology and related areas will raise issues about research security and health regulations. NATO Chief Scientist and Chair of the NATO Science & Technology Board (STB), Dr Bryan Wells, stressed in the report that these trends will “empower NATO and Allies’ decision-makers to consider the choices before them and how they can best prepare the Alliance today to face future challenges”. “Continued knowledge-building and investment in science & technology will strengthen NATO’s and Allies’ ability to outperform the competitors of today and tomorrow and ensure that we remain robust, resilient, and ready to respond to any threat”, he concluded. Read the full report For further enquiries, please contact techtrends@sto.nato.int Follow us: on X: @NATO_STO_OCS on LinkedIn: NATO Office of the Chief Scientist (STO-OCS), NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) Link was copied to clipboard

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