Adam McCauley is a journalist and academic. He writes about technology and international relations (with a focus on defense/security).
His current book looks at the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for 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, are personal and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization or employer. .
Latest Research
My latest contribution to a steadily-moving discussion and debate on AI use in the defense and security ecosystems. My thanks and gratitude to The British Academy and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace for supporting such a worthwhile programme of research. You can learn more about this and related research streams here.
Recent Talks
In January 2026, amidst the political furor around the future of Greenland, I spoke with the journalist Kenneth R. Rosen about his new book, Polar War: Submarines, Spies and the Struggle for Power in a Melting Arctic. You can listen to our conversation here.
In October 2025, I participated in a panel discussion hosted by the University of Oxford’s Emerging Threats Group, titled Algorithmic Warfare: Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and National Security. A readout of this discussion is available here.
In September 2025, I sat down with Professor Anthony King to discuss his new (and timely) book, AI, Automation, and War: The Rise of a Military-Tech Complex — which explores both how AI might be used in conflict, and which actors will shape this future operating environment (and with what consequence). You can listen to our conversation here.
In July 2025, I spoke with Mehran Gul about his new book, The New Geography of Innovation. His book offers a timely invitation to widen, deepen, and enrich how we understand the shape and substance of the present and coming technological landscape — and the myriad forms (and paths) innovation might emerge. You can listen to our discussion here.
I also had the pleasure of interviewing Frank Close, Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford, about his new book Destroyer of Worlds: The Deep History of the Nuclear Age — a crisp and compelling narrative about the development of a most influential (and world-shaping) scientific field. You can listen to our conversation here.
Finally, I spoke with the journalist Chris Horton about his new book, Ghost Nation: The Story of Taiwan and its Struggle for Survival. This sweeping political survey comes at a critical moment for Taiwan (and the Indo-Pacific). You can listen to our wide-ranging conversation here.
In February 2025, I spoke with the prophet of our digital times, Nicholas Carr, about his new book Superbloom: How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart. You can hear our wide-ranging conversation here.
Late in 2024, I spoke with the journalist Atoosa Abrahamian about her book, The Hidden Globe: How Wealth Hacks the World. That conversation, hosted by Intelligence Squared, went live in February 2025. You can listen here.
In January 2025, I had the pleasure of speaking with Samuel Moyn about his recent book, Liberalism Against Itself: Cold War Intellectuals and the Making of Our Times. You can listen to our conversation, hosted by Intelligence Squared, here.
In November 2024, 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 watch the full discussion here. The full podcast (from Intelligence Squared) is available here.
In October 2024, 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 2024, 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 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).
From The Globe and Mail:
“Canada must embrace its diaspora – not as a lost community but as an important feature of its national identity and a vital source of renewal.”
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.
I currently live in Ottawa (Canada).
e: anmccauley@gmail.com