The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is
leading a NATO research project called ‘Youth Perspective on
Emerging and Disruptive Technologies' (reference
SAS-AVT-SET-HFM-205).
The goal is to gather ideas from young people across NATO
countries about how emerging and disruptive technologies might
affect the future.
What the competition is asking for
To gather these future ideas, we want you to write an original
think piece, which answers the question: ‘What do you think are
the opportunities and risks of emerging and disruptive
technologies?'
Eligibility
The competition is open to citizens of NATO member countries, as
well as Australia, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
You must also be aged between 18 and 34.
Background information on emerging and disruptive
technologies
Emerging and disruptive technologies are just starting to develop
and could have a big impact in the future. They might change
markets and industries so much that current practices, tools, or
even companies become outdated.
Key characteristics of emerging and disruptive technologies
include:
- rapid development
- societal impact
- transformation of existing paradigms
Historical example of emerging and disruptive
technologies: The Ford Model T
The first affordable car made motoring publicly accessible. This
new innovation transformed the transportation market, but became
disruptive, making horse-drawn vehicles old-fasioned, and drove
significant societal change on a large scale.
How to present your think piece
You can choose to write about opportunities or risks, or both.
There is no right or wrong format for your think piece, but we
suggest any of the following:
- essays
- news articles
- advocacy briefs
- bullet point lists
- brainstorms
Suggested themes to think about
You could include any of the following themes:
- legal, ethical, technical, moral or policy implications of
these technologies
- societal reactions to advancements in technology or changes
in policy
- potential benefits for society
- potential harm for society
- implications on industry
- potential misuse of these technologies
- impact on individual privacy
- strategic advantage and competition arising from these
technologies
- prosperity and economic strength arising from these
technologies
Word count
There is a 1000 word limit (10% allowance, not including
references or abstract).
We also recommend including a short abstract to explain your
think piece.
Marking criteria
You are not allowed to use AI. If it is detected, your entry will
be dismissed.
Think pieces will be marked based on the following factors:
- how original your ideas are
- whether you include real-world examples or case studies
(including your own experiences)
- how credible and relevant your ideas are
- how convincing your arguments are
- the level of academic quality and accuracy
How to enter
Email your think pieces to: ThinkPieceCompetition@dstl.gov.uk
by Friday 6 February 2026. We will annouce the winners in May
2026.
If your submission makes the top 10, you will need to submit a
picture of your ID.
Next steps
Writers of the 3 best think pieces will be invited to present
their entry at a future NATO event. The overall winner will be
determined by a panel at this event.
Writers of the top 10 think pieces will receive certificates of
commendation that can be included as part of a curriculum vitae.
The top 10 think pieces may be published in the NATO Journal for Science and
Technology.
