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NATO is boosting AI and climate research as scientific diplomacy remains on ice

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Pilot whales surface near the NATO Research Vessel Alliance during the Biological and Behavioral Studies of Marine Mammals in the Western Mediterranean Sea study.

A NATO research vessel conducting studies of marine mammals in the Mediterranean Sea (pictured in 2009).Credit: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kristen Allen via Mil image/Alamy

Science has been essential to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the political and military alliance founded 75 years ago this month. The 32-country alliance is admitting more members as it faces evolving geopolitical and military threats. The organization’s scientific work focuses largely on defence and civil-security projects that, for instance, investigate how climate change is affecting war, how emerging technologies could enhance soldiers’ performance and how to reduce discrimination and intolerance among military personnel. “The role of science and technology for NATO is likely to grow significantly over the next two decades,” predicts Simona Soare, a defence-technologies researcher at Lancaster University, UK.

How does NATO use science?

“We’re looking to make sure that we can provide scientific advice to the nations of NATO to enable them to maintain a technical and military advantage,” says Bryan Wells, a chemist and the organization’s chief scientist. Wells works at NATO’s Brussels headquarters, where world leaders gathered earlier this month to mark the organization’s 75th anniversary.

NATO has a complex organizational structure including both military and civilian staff. The civilian part of NATO is headed by a senior political figure from a member state and also includes diplomats representing member countries. The military part is headed by senior military personnel.

Much of NATO’s research and development (R&D) takes place through the Science and Technology Organization (STO), a network of more than 6,000 scientists at universities and national laboratories and in industry. They work together on defence research projects. NATO’s member states and non-member countries together contribute around €350 million (US$380 million) annually for the work of this network, says Wells.

The STO also has its own research laboratory, the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) in La Spezia, Italy. The laboratory employs around 150 people and is led by Eric Pouliquen, a physicist who has worked on underwater remote sensing.

NATO’s civilian arm provides grants for a Science for Peace and Security (SPS) research programme, headed by Claudio Palestini, a researcher in communications engineering.

The programme funds studies in areas such as counterterrorism and cyber defence. Earlier this month, the SPS programme updated its priorities. These now include studies on the impact on defence and security from climate change and from AI; protecting underwater infrastructure, and what it calls “hybrid threats”, which includes interference in elections and disinformation. Each of its larger grants is worth between €250,000 and €400,000 and lasts for two to three years.

Wells says the STO publishes research — mostly from the CMRE — in peer-reviewed journals where possible. “We recognize if we can publish openly, it’s very beneficial to do that,” he says.

However, many of its research projects are classified. NATO also does not publish a detailed breakdown of its R&D income and expenditure by country; nor does it release its funding trend data.

What sort of research is NATO doing?

Projects cover a spectrum of fields including using autonomous undersea surveillance to hunt for and identify mines; tracking and identifying submarines; quantum radar; and synthetic biology.

For example, one programme led by CMRE researchers explores how autonomous underwater vehicles can identify submarines using quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Similarly, another project, ‘Military Diversity in Multinational Defence Environments: From Ethnic Intolerance to Inclusion’ studied the reasons for intolerance within NATO members’ armed forces as part of an overall strategy to improve diversity and inclusion across the organization..

NATO is examining how AI could affect troops’ ability to conceal themselves and evade detection. Another initiative is investigating how biotechnology could boost soldiers’ performance by enhancing the microbiome or through brain-computer interface technologies.

Why is NATO interested in climate research?

NATO is concerned that climate change has significant impacts on security. Melting sea ice creates more routes for naval shipping in the Arctic, for example, and NATO and non-NATO countries are increasingly operating in the region.

NATO is also interested in how temperature changes could affect the security of its member and non-member countries as well as of military installations around the world. In a 2024 review paper in the Texas National Security Review, CMRE researchers — along with colleagues from the University of St Andrews, UK, the University of L’Aquila, Italy, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich — found that submarines could become more difficult to detect using sonar in the North Atlantic Ocean as water temperature rises.

In another study, presented at last week’s conference of the European Geosciences Union in Vienna , CMRE researchers working with scientists at the universities of Princeton in New Jersey and Central Florida in Orlando assessed how extreme weather might affect 91 NATO military bases and installations. The researchers found that multiple bases and installations are likely to become susceptible to climate change as emissions continue to rise.

In another project, last year one of NATO’s research vessels moored vertical lines holding oceanographic and acoustic recorders in the Arctic Ocean. The intention was to monitor temperature, salinity and ambient noise throughout the water column. Other research projects are looking at the use of new materials for military clothing in warmer climates, says Wells.

In 2022, NATO also published the first of a series called Climate change and Security Impact Assessment. It is also developing a methodology to map greenhouse-gas emissions from NATO-member military activities and installations.

lower a Slocum Glider unmanned undersea vehicle into the Gulf of Aqaba during International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2022.

Personnel from NATO and the Royal Jordanian Navy lower an unmanned undersea vehicle into the Gulf of Aqaba (pictured in 2022).Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth

How has NATO’s expansion affected science?

NATO’s membership has more than doubled since its founding on 4 April 1949. Finland and Sweden are the latest countries to join. Three more — Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine — want to become members.

More members potentially means more funding and support for research and development, as well as access to a bigger pool of scientific expertise. However, Finland and Sweden both participated in NATO’s collaborative research for several years before they joined, says Wells.

Soare says that NATO’s defence science originally focused on aerospace, to help its members catch up after the Soviet Union launched Earth’s first artificial satellites — Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2 — in 1957. “Throughout the cold war, ensuring air superiority was considered crucial,” she says.

What about a role for science in diplomacy?

In 1958, NATO established research fellowships and projects in what later became its Science for Peace and Security programme, to boost collaboration between nations including the United States and the Soviet Union. “Science provided a path for superpower adversaries to cooperate,” says Paul Arthur Berkman, founder of the Science Diplomacy Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

The fellowships and collaborative projects continued to provide a point of contact between NATO and Russia until 2014, when Russia invaded Crimea. That year, Russia, Romania and the United States were jointly developing a system to connect telemedicine capabilities across all three countries to provide medical care in remote and emergency situations. However, the invasion prompted NATO to freeze cooperation with Russia.

Berkman, who in 2010 co-organized and chaired the first dialogue between NATO and Russia regarding environmental security in the Arctic, is concerned at the alliance’s shift away from using science as a “safety valve” in its relations with Russia. He warns that cutting off scientific dialogue with Russia undermines democracy and nations’ ability to tackle global challenges such as climate change.

“Open science is akin to freedom of speech. If we turn off open science, in a sense we’re undermining democracy,” says Berkman.

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AMD shows off new frame-rate boosting DX12 tech that gives us a glimpse of the future of PC gaming

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Microsoft recently brought in a new feature for DirectX 12 that could considerably improve gaming performance, and thanks to AMD, we have a clearer idea of what it might mean for frame rates in the future.

This is Work Graphs, a tech previously in testing but now officially introduced for DX12. It’s a feature that aims to reduce CPU bottlenecking effects on PC games, shifting some of the heavy processing work from the processor to the GPU. (And reducing communication between the CPU and graphics card, cutting out overheads in that respect, too).

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Dual-port 10GbE network cards supports SR-IOV for boosting VMware apps

Dual-port 10GbE network cards supports SR-IOV for boosting VMware apps

QNAP has recently launched a new 10GbE network expansion card, the QXG-10G2SF-X710, which is equipped with the Intel Ethernet Controller X710-BM2. This expansion card is an effective solution for teams needing concurrent data access, photographers and videographers requiring swift data transmission, and latency-sensitive virtualization applications. The card is not only energy-efficient but also budget-friendly, offering users a cost-effective solution for a high-speed network environment.

The QXG-10G2SF-X710 can be installed into a QNAP NAS or a Windows/Linux PC, boasting two high-speed 10GbE ports. This makes it a versatile solution for a variety of devices. The card is compatible with QNAP NAS, Windows, and Linux devices, supporting QTS 5.1 (and later), QuTS hero h5.1 (and later), Windows 11 22H2, Windows Server 2022 21H2, and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. This wide range of compatibility underscores its applicability across multiple platforms and operating systems.

Dual-port 10GbE network card

One of the distinguishing features of the QXG-10G2SF-X710 is its low-noise fanless design. This design not only reduces the noise output but also enhances the energy efficiency of the card. The card also features two 10GbE SFP+ (10G/1G) network ports, offering up to 20Gbps of data transfer potential. This high data transfer potential can be achieved through SMB Multichannel or Port Trunking, making the card an ideal solution for high-speed data transmission tasks.

A significant aspect of the QXG-10G2SF-X710 is its support for SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization). SR-IOV is a specification that allows a PCIe device to appear to be multiple separate physical PCIe devices. The QXG-10G2SF-X710’s support for SR-IOV enhances network resource allocation for VMware virtualization applications. This results in a reduction in network bandwidth consumption and CPU usage for virtual machine servers. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses and organizations that rely heavily on virtualization applications, as it allows them to optimize their network resources and improve the efficiency of their operations.

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QNAP QXG-10G2SF-X710

The network expansion card is also compatible with various QNAP 10GbE NAS and switches. This compatibility, coupled with its low cost, makes the QXG-10G2SF-X710 a cost-effective solution for a high-speed network environment. It allows users to upgrade their network infrastructure without incurring significant costs.

However, users must note that when installing the QXG-10G2SF-X710 in a computer, they must download the necessary Windows/Linux drivers from the official Intel® website. This requirement ensures that the card functions optimally and is fully compatible with the operating system of the device.

The QXG-10G2SF-X710 is a versatile, cost-effective, and high-speed solution for various data transmission and virtualization needs. Its support for SR-IOV and compatibility with a wide range of devices and operating systems make it a valuable addition to any high-speed network environment. Its energy-efficient and low-noise design further enhances its appeal to users looking for a quiet and environmentally friendly network solution.

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Low-Code for Enterprise: Boosting Productivity and Innovation

From streamlining mundane tasks to making complex business rules accessible even to those with limited technical knowledge, enterprise low-code solutions are revolutionizing the way organizations develop applications. By providing an easy to use platform and cutting-edge technology, these specialized tools empower businesses not only to produce innovative projects in a fraction of the time it would normally take, but also ensure scalability that can be adapted to support changing customer needs and requirements. In this blog post, we’ll look at how low-code for enterprise is boosting productivity and innovation across multiple industries!

Defining Low-Code for Enterprise and its Benefits

In the enterprise, low-code platforms are becoming increasingly popular with their ability to streamline development cycles, enhance productivity, and reduce costs. The benefits of low-code solutions are plentiful. First, the ease of use and quick learning curve mean that development can be done faster, with fewer personnel and resources. Additionally, low-code development platforms often require less maintenance and can integrate with existing systems seamlessly. With the ability to focus on creating business value rather than worrying about development complexities, low-code is a valuable tool for enterprises of all sizes.

How Low-Code Improves Productivity

Low-code, the new technology that allows for faster application development, is proving to be a game-changer for businesses looking to stay on top of their game. By giving developers the ability to create applications with little to no coding, low-code platforms allow them to focus on creating value for customers and innovating new solutions. This shift from traditional coding has led to faster turnaround times, reduced costs, and a heightened focus on the customer experience. Low-code has also opened up development to those without formal programming training, helping democratize technology and improve productivity. With the rise of low-code, businesses can rest assured that they will continue to see productivity gains that will keep them ahead of the competition.

Enhance Security with Low-Code Platforms

In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, security is of utmost importance. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated in their attacks, leaving businesses vulnerable to data breaches and cyber-attacks. That’s where low-code platforms come in. With these platforms, you can quickly and easily develop custom security solutions without the need for extensive programming knowledge. These platforms also offer pre-built security components, such as access management, encryption, and two-factor authentication. This not only saves time and resources but also gives developers the ability to focus on enhancing security measures. In short, the use of low-code platforms can significantly enhance security, keeping your business and its data safe from harm.

Streamline App Development Processes with Low-Code

The process of developing a mobile app can be a daunting and complex task. Fortunately, low-code development platforms have emerged to simplify the process. Low-code platforms empower developers of all levels to create applications quickly and efficiently, without traditional backend coding. This means that simple applications can be created with little to no coding experience, while more complex applications can be built with the help of intuitive visual editors and pre-built components. By streamlining the development process, low code platform enable businesses to deliver applications more quickly and with less manual coding effort involved. This ultimately translates to savings in time, resources, and costs, making low-code the go-to solution for today’s app development needs.

Unlock Deeper Insights on Customer Behavior and Preferences

As a business owner, understanding your customers’ behavior and preferences is vital to providing them a personalized experience that keeps them coming back. By unlocking deeper insights into these areas, you can tailor your marketing, sales, and service strategies to meet their specific needs and desires. This, in turn, can improve your customer retention rates and boost your bottom line. With analytical tools and technologies at your disposal, there is no excuse for not gaining a deeper understanding of your customers. So, take the time to delve into their behavior and preferences, and reap the benefits of a loyal and satisfied customer base.

Creating a Tailored User Experience with Low Code

When it comes to creating a tailored user experience, low-code is the way to go. With low-code, developers can focus on customizing the user interface, automating workflows, and connecting relevant data sources to streamline user interactions. This means that users can enjoy a seamless experience that lets them achieve their goals quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re working on a website, application, or digital product, low-code allows you to create a personalized experience without sacrificing functionality. By leveraging low-code solutions, you can ensure that your users will keep coming back for more.

In conclusion, implementing low-code for enterprise can provide many beneficial results, including improved productivity, enhanced security, streamlined development processes, unlocking insights on customer behavior and tailored user experience. With the help of modern technological advances, businesses can now make changes quickly and efficiently while providing customers with a personalized user experience. Low-code platforms provide users with an easier way to develop apps without having to write lengthy codes or write intricate scripts. With these capabilities, businesses can capitalize on opportunities and innovate faster. A successful low-code strategy for Enterprise will not only be essential in gaining competitive advantage in their respective industries; it will also allow businesses to drive their operations forward quickly and innovatively.