NTI and The Elders Convene Intergenerational Dialogue to Address Biological Risks

As technological advancement reshapes the global risk landscape, NTI and The Elders will convene an Intergenerational Dialogue on Biosecurity, Emerging Technologies, and Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR). The event will bring together internationally recognized leaders and a cohort of emerging experts from around the world to examine how these technologies can strengthen pandemic preparedness and response while identifying approaches to managing emerging biosecurity risks.

Policy decisions made today will shape the world’s ability to prevent and respond to biological threats for decades to come. Meeting that challenge will require more than expert analysis. It will require collaboration across generations of leaders to engage policymakers and the public.

“Biosecurity in the age of AI-enabled biology needs both the firsthand experience of scientists building with these tools today and the hard-won judgment of leaders who have steered through high-stakes crises before. This dialogue puts them in the same room, where the next generation helps frame the questions now rather than live with the answers later.” — Jake Jordan, PhD, vice president of NTI | bio.

NTI and The Elders are convening a cohort of rising biosecurity leaders alongside members of The Elders and internationally recognized experts to foster that exchange. The dialogue will connect early-career experts from five continents with leaders whose experience spans some of the most significant global challenges of the past half century.

NTI | bio is proud to announce the next generation cohort that will be participating in this dialogue. Selected from more than 200 applicants, the cohort brings together emerging leaders from nine countries, representing expertise in virology, public health, biosecurity, international diplomacy, and technology governance.

Emerging technologies have the potential to transform pandemic preparedness and response and improve equitable access to medical countermeasures. At the same time, they raise pressing biosecurity and governance challenges. Through intergenerational and cross-disciplinary dialogue, participants will discuss approaches to harness these innovations safely, responsibly, and equitably while reducing the risks of misuse. They will:

• Assess the current landscape of epidemic and pandemic PPR to identify persistent gaps and priorities for global action and governance
• Explore how emerging technologies can strengthen pandemic PPR and reduce inequities in access to medical countermeasures (MCMs)
• Examine how innovation, especially at the intersection of AI and the life sciences, can both heighten and reduce biosecurity risks
• Identify how to build and sustain public trust and political will for biosecurity and PPR investments, including through advocacy and storytelling

What happens after the dialogue is just as important as the conversations themselves. Cohort members will work together to share insights and shape compelling stories to connect with audiences beyond the biosecurity community. Through creative partnerships and public engagement, they will help build understanding of emerging biosecurity risks and encourage action to shape a safer future.

NTI’s Next Generation for Biosecurity programs promote the establishment of a global cross-sector cadre of early-career professionals dedicated to reducing catastrophic biological risks.