Technology and Security

In this bonus special episode of the Technology and Security podcast, host Dr Miah Hammond-Errey was joined in conversation by Dr. Simon Longstaff and Major General Paul Symon. It is a lightly edited panel conversation about ethics, technology and intelligence held at the ethics Centre in Sydney in February this year. Ostensibly to launch Miah’s new book, the conversation was a great excuse to get the three of us together to have a fun chat about the intersections of technology intelligence and ethics.  Dr Miah Hammond-Errey outlined how the big data landscape –of data abundance, digital connectivity and ubiquitous technology – impacts intelligence production and national security. This includes where Australian intelligence leaders and practitioners see the ethical boundaries of data and technology use in intelligence as well as the broader concept of ‘ethics at scale.’ The first 22 mins are the opening statements. Following on, Dr. Simon Longstaff and Major General Paul Symon  explored a wide range of  ethical implications of technology for intelligence, including the distinction between foreign and domestic intelligence,  trust and legitimacy of institutions and the role of humans in ethical decision-making. They then take questions from the audience.  Afterwards they co-published a short article about the idea of ethics at scale and how organisations can manage the increasing ethical conundrums technology brings. You can find the links below in the show notes. I hope you enjoy it! This is the second of a series of special episodes on intelligence. Given the intense interest in the role of technology in intelligence production and Security decision making, Technology & Security podcast will have occasional special additions with a purple logo highlighting intelligence specific episodes.Resources mentioned in the recording:Book: 29 Jan 2024, Big Data, Emerging Technology & Intelligence: National Security Disrupted, Routledge (30% off discount code: ADC24) Opinion: 18 Mar 2024 Why every organisation should have an ethical adviser, The Canberra Times, co-authors Dr Simon Longstaff, Paul Symon and Dr Miah Hammond-Errey) (https://ethics.org.au/access-to-ethical-advice-is-crucial/) This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. Panel Bios: Dr Simon Longstaff has been Executive Director of The Ethics Centre for 30 years, working across business, government and society. Dr Simon Longstaff began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. He has a PhD in philosophy from Cambridge University, is a Fellow of CPA Australia and of the Royal Society of NSW, and an Adjunct Professor of the AGSM at UNSW. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.” Simon is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute.Major General Paul Symon (Retd), AO served as the 12th Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) from 2017-2022, responsible for the collection of foreign human intelligence. During his tenure, he provided advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister on foreign intelligence, was a regular attendee of the National Security Committee of Cabinet and oversaw a high tempo of very sensitive and high-risk intelligence operations. Prior to this, his military career lasted 35 years across regions and distinguished appointments, including leading intelligence activities at the highest levels. He served overseas in the United Kingdom, Israel, Lebanon, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Baghdad. Paul was made an Officer in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service as Joint Task Force commander on operations in the Middle East in 2005/06. Paul is currently an independent non-executive board member and, separately, a strategic adviser to the University of Melbourne. Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, your host, is the CEO of Strat Futures and Adjunct Associate Professor at Deakin University. Dr Hammond-Errey spent eighteen years leading federal government analysis and communications activities in Australia, Europe, and Asia. She was awarded an Operations Medal. Miah has led and established technology and security programs for Australian think tanks and teaches, publishes and presents on national security, technology, cyber, intelligence and leadership. Her book is called Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted.Hosted by:  The Ethics Centre