The 62nd Munich Security Conference, which opened on February 13, 2026, in Munich, Germany, signals a significant shift in how Europe approaches security. For decades, the conference centered on traditional military and diplomatic concerns – jets, troops, and treaties. This year, however, cyber risks and artificial intelligence have moved from the periphery to the architecture of security itself.
European leaders are grappling with a world where digital threats are deeply intertwined with geopolitical tensions. Cyber risks, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies like AI are now discussed alongside conventional defense strategies. This isn’t merely an addition to the agenda; it represents a fundamental re-evaluation of what constitutes national and collective security.
The inclusion of technological frontier issues is being explicitly driven by initiatives like the Tech Strategy Initiative, demonstrating that debates previously confined to tech policy circles have now broken into mainstream security discourse. This initiative aims to examine technological disruption through the lens of security and geopolitical implications for transatlantic democracies, acting as a “strategic compass” for policymakers.
On the opening day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a stark message: the post-World War II order is under strain, and Europe can no longer take its digital or geopolitical defenses for granted. This sentiment underscores the urgency with which European leaders are approaching the intersection of technology and security. Cyber threats and disinformation campaigns are now considered alongside traditional military concerns, influencing the discussions and priorities of delegates.
A key takeaway from early sessions was the call from Germany’s intelligence leadership for greater latitude to counter hybrid threats, particularly cyber attacks and digital sabotage linked to geopolitical rivals. This request highlights a growing recognition that state security extends beyond physical borders and into the digital realm. The traditional concept of a secure “network perimeter” is becoming increasingly obsolete.
Europe is currently navigating its identity in this new era, balancing the need for strong alliances with a growing desire for strategic autonomy. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Europe must become a geopolitical power, a vision that encompasses not only military strength and diplomatic influence but also robust domestic tech capabilities and digital resilience.
Tech is Now a Strategic Front
Beneath the diplomatic language lies a more subtle but significant shift: technology is being integrated into Europe’s strategic autonomy narrative. For years, the European Union’s policy focused on achieving digital sovereignty through regulation – notably the AI Act, data protection laws, and competition regulations. In Munich, these topics are now being discussed in direct relation to security and defence priorities.
Officials and experts are framing AI and cyber resilience not simply as economic or ethical issues, but as core national security concerns. This represents a fundamental change in perspective, elevating technology to a position of strategic importance. The focus is shifting from simply regulating technology to leveraging it for defensive and offensive capabilities.
Cybersecurity, in particular, has moved beyond a niche concern. Events like the Munich Cyber Security Conference, held alongside the main conference, reflect a broader realization: traditional defence without a digital strategy is obsolete. Defense analysts are increasingly pointing to the vulnerability of critical infrastructure – from power grids to military supply chains – to cyberattacks, demanding coordinated public-private responses.
This shift has significant implications for the European tech industry. If governments prioritize cyber and AI as strategic assets, they will likely push for stricter security standards, incentivize domestic innovation over outsourcing, and promote the development of interoperable defense technologies. This could reshape investment flows and R&D priorities across the continent.
Europe Between Alliances and Autonomy
The political undercurrents at the Munich Security Conference are as revealing as the formal speeches. European leaders acknowledge the continued importance of existing alliances, particularly with the United States, but recognize that these alliances cannot be the sole guarantor of security. This realization is driving a push for greater European autonomy in key areas, including technology.
A move towards autonomy could lead to the development of AI standards tailored to European norms, investments in sovereign semiconductor supply chains, and the creation of digital infrastructure less reliant on external cloud and data platforms. It could also spur efforts to establish security cooperation mechanisms, potentially modeled after intelligence-sharing networks like the “Five Eyes” alliance, but with greater European participation.
The 2026 Munich Security Conference underscores how Europe is rethinking its place in a world where digital and geopolitical risks can no longer be separated. Discussions here reinforce a shift in how policymakers, defense chiefs, and industry leaders view modern threats: not as abstract data problems, but as strategic concerns that shape alliances, domestic policy choices, and industrial priorities. From calls for stronger cyber capabilities to a renewed emphasis on strategic autonomy and technological resilience, this year’s gathering points to a future where technology is no longer an accessory to security policy but one of its pillars.
For Europe’s tech ecosystem, this means that regulatory agendas, investment flows, and public-private cooperation will be shaped not only by innovation goals but also by national and collective security imperatives.
