The ADAPT Research Ireland Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology at Trinity College Dublin and the Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy have signed a MOU to foster collaboration in research, policy development, and public engagement in the areas of cyber security and societal resilience.
This new partnership will support the University’s broader ambitions through the newly established Trinity Centre for Digital Security and Societal Resilience.
Specifically, the MOU will explore cooperation in areas including the responsible use and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies, cyberspace governance, and democratic resilience. It comes at a time of growing focus on digital security, infrastructure resilience, AI accountability and the societal impact of technological and geopolitical change.
The agreement will support joint research projects and studies that address the digital policy gaps in fields of mutual interest, as well as the organisation of joint symposia, workshops and conferences on themes relating to digital and societal resilience. Areas of strategic focus will include the governance of AI and other advanced technologies, and risk mitigation relating to misinformation, manipulation, disinformation and Foreign Interference and Manipulation of Information (FIMI).
Speaking about the partnership, Professor John Kelleher, Director of ADAPT at Trinity College Dublin, said: “Trinity’s new Centre for Digital Security and Societal Resilience highlights the importance of building research and policy capacity to address the complex digital challenges facing Ireland and Europe. This partnership with the Azure Forum is an important step forward in a wider effort to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers. By bringing together expertise across research, policy and public engagement we can contribute to more informed, evidence-based approaches to cyber resilience, democratic stability, and the governance of emerging technologies.”
Caitriona Heinl, Executive Director of the Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy, said: “The Azure Forum contributes to public debate with informed expertise from trusted sources. This partnership supports the Azure Forum’s mission to mitigate misinformation and nefarious disinformation through fact-based academically rigorous but policy relevant analysis to enable society to better understand policy choices, therefore supporting more informed, democratic engagement.”
The partnership is intended to support more informed public debate, stronger interdisciplinary research, and practical cooperation on issues affecting citizens, institutions and democratic societies. Caitriona Heinl will join a panel of experts in the Trinity Long Room Hub on 22nd April focused on Security and Defence policy.
