The 2025 Conference of Commandants, held in Athens, Greece brought together military leaders and experts from NATO member countries, organisations and partners, representing 50 nations, to discuss the future of professional defence and security education (PDSE).
May’s event, held in a spirit of collaboration and innovation, focused on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in PDSE.
Reflecting on his participation and experiences at the conference, Commandant of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Major General Peter Rowell said:
"Artificial Intelligence will transform education. It was great to be with so many allies and partners to discuss how we can lead the way."
Throughout the conference, participants explored various AI applications, from personalised learning experiences to advanced simulation training. Experts shared insights on how AI can be leveraged to create more adaptive and responsive training programmes, ensuring that the defence enterprise is better prepared for the complexities of modern warfare.
One of the key takeaways from the conference was the opportunity for greater international cooperation in developing and implementing AI-driven educational tools. By working together, nations can share knowledge, resources, and best practices, ultimately leading to more effective and efficient training programmes.
The 55th NATO Conference of Commandants will be held in Rome, June 2026, hosted by the NATO Defence College.