New Delhi: Indian defence experts have discussed growing security threats linked to Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber operations and information warfare at a two-day seminar in New Delhi.
The Cyber-Enabled Cognitive Warfare Seminar, organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), began on November 2, 2026. The discussions focused on how digital technologies and information campaigns can influence human thinking, military operations and India’s national security.
Cyber Enabled Cognitive Warfare Seminar: India Examines Emerging Threats From AI And Cyber Warfare
The two-day seminar aims to improve understanding of new security challenges emerging from the growing connection between cyber operations, AI, information influence and human behaviour.
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The opening-day sessions focused on India’s changing security environment and the growing importance of the cognitive battlefield.
Experts also examined how different actors use information, digital platforms and carefully designed messages to influence public opinion and shape the information environment.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the discussions highlighted the need to understand these threats beyond their technical aspects.
Cyber Enabled Cognitive Warfare Seminar: Military Personnel And Their Families Also Face Digital Threats
One of the important topics discussed during the seminar was the targeting of military personnel, retired defence personnel and their families through digital platforms.
The experts examined how cyber technologies, AI and digital manipulation can be used to influence individuals and create security challenges. Such activities can affect the flow of information, personal security and trust in institutions.
The discussions highlighted the importance of understanding how online influence campaigns can create psychological and social challenges alongside traditional security threats.
Senior Defence Officials Attend The Seminar
Several senior military and government officials attended the inaugural session of the seminar. The important participants included:
- Rear Admiral Sanjay Sachdeva: Director General, Defence Cyber Agency.
- Major General Ashok Kumar (Retd): Director General, CENJOWS.
- Navin Kumar Singh: National Cyber Security Coordinator.
- Vice Admiral A. N. Pramod: Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff.
- Air Marshal Tejinder Singh: Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).
Their participation highlighted the importance of cooperation between India’s armed forces, government institutions and cybersecurity experts in addressing emerging security challenges.
Why Cyber-Enabled Cognitive Warfare Is Important For India’s Defence
Cyber-enabled cognitive warfare refers to the use of digital technologies, information campaigns and psychological influence to affect how individuals and groups think, understand information and make decisions.
Unlike traditional warfare, which mainly focuses on physical targets and military infrastructure, cognitive warfare also focuses on the human mind and the information environment.
Artificial Intelligence can make these activities more complex by helping create, analyse and distribute information at a large scale.
For India, understanding these developments is important because national security threats are no longer limited to land, air, sea and traditional cyberattacks.
The growing connection between technology, information and human behaviour requires a wider approach to defence planning and national security.
What are the Key Focus Areas of Cyber-Enabled Cognitive Warfare Seminar
The seminar brings together senior military leaders, government officials, diplomats, strategic affairs experts, academics, technology specialists and media representatives.
This multidisciplinary participation provides an opportunity to examine emerging threats from military, technological, psychological and social perspectives.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of understanding the wider impact of digital threats on institutions and society.
The two-day seminar, scheduled for November 2 and 3, 2026, reflects India’s growing attention to cyber security, AI-driven threats and information warfare.
As digital technologies continue to develop, understanding and responding to cyber-enabled cognitive threats will remain an important part of India’s future defence and national security strategy.
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FAQs
The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) organised the two-day seminar under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
Cyber-enabled cognitive warfare is the use of cyber technologies, information campaigns and psychological influence to affect people’s thinking, decisions and understanding of information.
The seminar discussed AI-related security threats, cyber operations, information influence, digital manipulation, psychological threats and the targeting of military personnel and their families.
