The GCSCC returned to New York this week to contribute to high-level discussions on the growing intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism at the United Nations Headquarters. The presentation took place during the event “Building Operational Capacities for the Use of AI in Counter-Terrorism,” convened by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), with the support of India and the United Arab Emirates.
During the session on strengthening national cyber-AI readiness, the GCSCC showcased its work on a National AI Cybersecurity Readiness Metric, alongside its widely adopted Cybersecurity Capacity Maturity Model for Nations (CMM). Together, these frameworks offer governments a structured and practical way to assess institutional readiness, identify gaps, and prioritise investments at the nexus of AI and cybersecurity.
A central theme of the discussion was the critical importance of capacity building, particularly for law enforcement agencies, regulators, and policymakers. The GCSCC underscored that national readiness is not solely a technical issue, but one that spans strategy, legal frameworks, education, and risk control practices among others (see here). Capacity-focused approaches, such as those embedded in the CMM and the AI Cybersecurity Readiness Metric, enable countries at different stages of development to identify realistic and sustainable pathways forward.
The event brought together a diverse group of experts from governments, international organisations, academia, and the research community. Speakers included representatives from UNOCT/UNCCT, UNICRI, national authorities, defence and security institutions, and leading research centres, reflecting the importance of multilateral and multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing evolving terrorist threats and the dual-use nature of AI technologies.
The GCSCC expressed appreciation to UNOCT/UNCCT, UNICRI, and the Governments of India and the UAE for creating a valuable forum for dialogue and exchange. T
As discussions concluded, participants highlighted the need for continued collaboration, development of practial, action-oriented tools, knowledge-sharing, and partnership between the UN system, Member States, and research institutions to strengthen global resilience in the age of AI.
The GCSCC looks forward to staying engaged with partners and advancing this shared agenda.
