Adam McCauley is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Department of National Defence (Canada)*
His current book project looks at the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on military and political decision-making.
He writes a regular newsletter, The View From Here, on politics, technology, and the future.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch: anmccauley@gmail.com
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*Please note: The views expressed here, or elsewhere associated with Adam McCauley, do not represent the views of the Department of National Defence or the Government of Canada.
Recent Talks
This November, I was invited to host a panel on AI and the future of warfare at Web Summit (in Lisbon) featuring Kenneth Cukier (The Economist) and Agnes Callamard (Amnesty International). You can see a recording of this discussion here.
In October, I spoke with the journalist Dan Hancox about his book, Multitudes. You can listen to our discussion, no live for Intelligence Squared, here.
In September, I spoke with the philosopher Roman Krznaric about his new book, History for Tomorrow: Inspiration from the Past for the Future of Humanity. You can listen to our conversation (for Intelligence Squared) here.
In July 2024, I spoke with the science journalist Olive Heffernan about her new book, The High Seas, for Intelligence Squared. You can listen to that conversation here.
In April 2024, I interviewed the Japanese philosopher and economist Kohei Saito (University of Tokyo) about his new book, Slow Down, for Intelligence Squared. You can listen here.
In December 2023, I interviewed Prof David Runciman (University of Cambridge) about his new book, The Handover: How We Gave Control of Our Lives to Corporations, States, and AIs, for the Intelligence Squared Podcast Series. That conversation is now live — listen here.
In November 2023, I presented portions of my forthcoming book (in progress) at the T.E. Lawrence Program on the Study of Conflict (All Souls College, University of Oxford); the Emerging Threats Group @ The Changing Character of War Centre (Oxford); and the Cyber Strategy and Technology Studies Working Group (Nuffield College, Oxford).
I currently serve as Senior Policy Analyst in the Department of National Defence for the Government of Canada.
A journalist by training, I’ve spent years reporting on politics and international affairs, with a specific focus on the intersection of power, crime, and politics. I look for compelling personal narratives as entry points to explore complex topics, from conservation and corruption to piracy and palm oil.
My academic work has focused on political violence and specifically how insurgent leaders influence their organization’s performance in civil war. This research has helped explain different patterns of success and survival of insurgent groups.
My current book project explores how emerging technologies (notably Artificial intelligence) are reshaping political and military decision-making processes — and generating novel escalatory risks for international stability.
I hold a BA (Peace and Conflict Studies) from the University of Toronto; MSc (Journalism) from Columbia University; and a MPhil and DPhil (International Relations) from the University of Oxford.
My current CV is here.
I currently reside in Ottawa (Canada).
e: anmccauley@gmail.com
p: +1 613 222 5644
t: @adammccauley
s: @adamnmccauley