The European Union advocates for increased cooperation between universities and intelligence agencies to safeguard research from espionage threats. This recommendation comes amid growing concerns about hostile states’ attempts to steal valuable knowledge and technology. Specifically, the EU emphasizes the need to address security risks in critical areas such as advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, and biotechnologies. The proposal seeks to facilitate information exchange and enhance cross-sectoral cooperation to protect economic security and intellectual property.
The EU member states are urged to bolster collaboration between research organizations and intelligence services, enabling them to stay informed about potential risks facing research in key technology domains. Measures include classified and non-classified briefings, as well as dedicated liaison officers to facilitate communication between relevant parties. Additionally, there’s a call for heightened political focus on the challenges posed by intellectual property theft and knowledge transfer, with an emphasis on bringing together policymakers responsible for various sectors to address these issues collectively.
In response to the increasing threat landscape, the British government is considering measures such as security vetting of key researchers and intelligence briefings for senior officials. Similar initiatives are in place in the United States to safeguard against potential misuse or theft of critical technologies. The recommendations highlight the need for a joint response to the evolving geopolitical context to ensure that research efforts are not exploited for malicious purposes that threaten security and values.
