CDE Conference
Since 2001, the International Concept Development and Experimentation (CD&E) Conference, a NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and US Joint Staff co-sponsored annual forum provides an open space to discuss the most current issues relating to CD&E in the process of capability development. The 18th annual International Concept Development and Experimentation Conference took place 30 October through 1 November 2018. This year’s theme was CD&E: Confronting the Challenge of a Disrupted Security Environment. The 2018 conference promoted a collaborative approach to concept and capability development and shared the knowledge and experience garnered from 29 Nations’ expertise. The audience for the conference includes over 240 delegates from NATO countries. Other attendees will include those from NATO Partner Countries and partner organizations with concept development and experimentation backgrounds and experience. The three-day conference included keynote speakers, plenary sessions, four workshops, and the CD&E Exchange, a mini-expo. Workshop topics discussed challenges in the disrupted security environment, exploration of new concepts in autonomy, artificial intelligence, big data, future warfare and technologies, disruptive thinking and alternative problem formulation techniques.Disruptive technologies as Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy systems and weapons present huge technical and non-technical challenges in future conflicts (make-decision process, ethical issues, national approaches, impact in military operations, sharing data, new disruptive security scenarios,.). More complex questions have and will have to be answered so the Alliance can maintain an edge as a fighting force. All NATO COEs representatives participated in a Workshop (WS) on ”Concept management in NATO – Future collaboration” discussing with ACT staff (former Transformation Network Branch now changed to Concept Development Branch) and other delegates how to improve future collaboration in CD&E. The current ACT aims on CD&E is to update CDE Handbook applying project management principles and to be open to any new “disruptive idea”. A new methodology has to be considered. A smart present prepares Alliance for the unforeseen future. The 2019 International Concept and Development Conference will take place in Spain hosted by the Spanish Minister of Defense and the ESP Joint Staff and will be sponsored by the NATO Allied Command Transformation.