About

Priorities

NTI is focused on reducing nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats imperiling humanity. Our impact model, expertise, and facilitating power allow us to mitigate existing and evolving risks while leveraging real-world technology and governance solutions to design and build a safer world.

Reduce urgent nuclear risks

The risk of nuclear weapons use—deliberate, accidental, or unauthorized—is dangerously high. Today, nine countries hold more than 12,000 nuclear weapons amid potential threats of terrorism, the spread of nuclear technologies and materials, and cyberattacks on critical facilities and systems. NTI reduces these risks through bold, innovative, and practical solutions.


Current Projects

Design and promote a safer future without nuclear weapons

As long as the world continues to rely on outdated nuclear deterrence theories, we live with the risk of catastrophic failure. A new framework for a secure nuclear future is needed—one where peaceful nuclear technologies still exist, but the world no longer relies on nuclear weapons for security. Through novel strategies, dialogues, and partnerships, NTI promotes new thinking about the legal, normative, institutional, and technological requirements needed to confidently verify, monitor, manage, and control the peaceful use of nuclear materials and technology in a world without nuclear weapons.


Current Projects

Horizon 2045

Horizon 2045

Devising new strategies and approaches to move towards a world without nuclear weapons

Understanding Global Effects of Nuclear Weapons

Understanding Global Effects of Nuclear Weapons

The damaging effects of the light, heat, blast, and radiation caused by a nuclear explosion have been known to scientists since the end of the Second World War

Build international capacity to prevent catastrophic biological events

Biological threats—natural, intentional, or accidental—are increasing and could kill billions and cost trillions of dollars. As COVID-19 vividly demonstrated, the risk of a catastrophic biological event is magnified by an increasingly interconnected world and challenged by political instability, urbanization, climate change, and new technologies that make it easier, cheaper, and faster to create and engineer pathogens. Addressing biological threats is a shared responsibility between governments and the private sector. NTI | bio fosters new thinking, tests solutions, and advocates for change.


Current Projects

Global Health Security Index

Global Health Security Index

The GHS Index highlights individual country needs, boost compliance with international standards, and create better understanding of global capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to biological threats.

Harness AI and emerging technology to tap opportunities and reduce catastrophic nuclear and biological risks

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, robotics and automation, big data, ubiquitous sensing, space commercialization, and other disruptive technologies are transforming the technological foundation of human civilization. These technologies can radically expand and converge with each other with both intended and unintended consequences for nuclear and biological security. NTI’s FutureSafe program works with governments, industry, academia, and NGOs to create a more comprehensive understanding of the risks and opportunities posed by AI and emerging technologies to nuclear and biological threats and to implement innovative solutions and policy responses.


Current Projects

Reducing AIxBio Risks

Reducing AIxBio Risks

Strengthening AI governance to safeguard AI-enabled tools for engineering living systems from misuse.

Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative

Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative

Advances in biotechnology outpace national governments’ ability to provide needed oversight to prevent accidents or deliberate misuse of dangerous biological agents.

Foster tomorrow’s leaders to tackle evolving nuclear and biothreats

Today’s students and young professionals will inherit enormous global nuclear and biosecurity challenges and need the support of collaborative global networks, as well as training and opportunities, to develop the contacts, analytic skills, and creativity to solve them. NTI builds networks for emerging leaders to share experiences, sponsors competitions to bring young leaders together, supports post-graduate work for scholars, and maintains a robust internship program to help develop the next generation of leaders, so they are equipped to tackle the escalating and evolving threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and disruption.


Current Projects

The Sam Nunn Distinguished Fellow Program

The Sam Nunn Distinguished Fellow Program

Attracting researchers, scientists, and experts to join NTI for a limited term to conduct innovative research and analysis and to bring fresh ideas and thinking

NTI Seminar Series

NTI Seminar Series

NTI launched a seminar series to foster new and creative thinking on issues relating to weapons of mass destruction and disruption.

Increase public awareness and engagement to build political will to address nuclear and biological threats

Public awareness and engagement around today’s nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats is crucial for making progress on risk reduction and building a world safe from preventable global catastrophe. NTI designs and implements innovative and engaging campaigns, shapes narratives to influence perceptions about today’s threats, and works with NTI experts to translate solutions into impact. The work is designed to engage larger and more diverse audiences who will play a role in building the political will for change by organizing and enlisting influential leaders across governments, civil society, and popular culture.


Current Projects

The Critical Mass Project

The Critical Mass Project

Building a critical mass of public support to eliminate nuclear weapons risks

Safer World 2020
Past Project

Safer World 2020

Engaging U.S. voters about the urgency to reduce nuclear and other WMD threats

Nuclear Tipping Point
Past Project

Nuclear Tipping Point

Documentary tackles nuclear dangers, features Shultz, Perry, Kissinger, and Nunn

Last Best Chance
Past Project

Last Best Chance

A gripping docudrama aired on HBO about the threats posed by loosely secured nuclear weapons and materials around the world

Global Security Newswire
Past Project

Global Security Newswire

A comprehensive snapshot of the day's news on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, as well as terrorism and missile issues


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