Date(s) -Saturday, May 9, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Nanoose Place Community Centre
Categories
Artificial Intelligence: Security Risks for Governments. How Will AI Challenge National Security and Affect Geopolitics?
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Artificial intelligence can pose many national security risks from people or governments with malicious intent. For example, they could use this technology to spread disinformation, build autonomous weapons, or compromise critical infrastructure. One national security concern we’ve already faced is that of automated cyber attacks (at speeds beyond human capability). Also, AI can be used to design malware used in scams, phishing campaigns, and even to compromise power grids. The use of misinformation and psychological warfare are age-old weapons used in wartime, but AI can add a more refined and complex level of public opinion manipulation to destabilize societies. Data security is yet another worry. The Canadian government mitigates these risks through regulation, international standards, and
investing in AI research.
Presenter: John Pyrik had a long career in the Canadian security and intelligence community before becoming an educator. He helped evaluate, integrate, refine, and ultimately train analysts in the use of sophisticated
systems and software. While he grants the ability of AI to detect patterns and find links, he believes human expertise and judgement remain essential to determining what is relevant, significant, and justifiable. He worries that
efforts to save money by replacing analysts with AI will overshoot the mark, resulting in algorithmic injustice.
John’s lecture is the result of collaboration between Elder College and the Vancouver Island Branch of the Canadian International Council (CIC). John often lectures on topics related to national security and geopolitics at CIC. He has led several “politics in the pub” discussions involving topics ranging from critical minerals to the Canadian government’s intelligence priorities. We are very happy to collaborate with the CIC, whose mission is to promote an understanding of
international affairs and Canada’s role in a changing world by providing Canadians with a non-partisan, nationwide forum for informed discussion, analysis and debate. See theCIC.org for more information.
Inperson Registration: $10.00 GST included *CASH at the door
Online Registration: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/MIEC/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=y2pKAYv
Schedule: On Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Nanoose Place Community Centre; 2925 Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay, BC, V9P 9E6