Olivier Kempf joins IADSS global advisory board

Brigadier General Olivier Kempf (Retd), a former French Army cyber and digital transformation leader, has been named to the 18-member Global Advisory Board of the Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit. The appointment adds NATO, military and academic experience as the summit expands its focus on autonomous defence, governance and human supervision.

Why it matters: - Kempf’s appointment adds senior NATO, cyber defence and digital transformation experience to the Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit’s global advisory network. - The move comes as militaries and international institutions are weighing how to govern autonomous and connected defence systems while preserving accountability and human control. - IADSS is positioning itself as a convening forum for governments, armed forces, policymakers, researchers and industry around those questions.

What happened: - Brigadier General Olivier Kempf (Retd) has been selected to serve on the Global Advisory Board of the Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit. - Kempf joins an 18-member board made up of experts from 13 countries. - Kempf is a former French Army digital transformation officer and senior NATO strategic adviser. - The announcement was issued in France on Oct. 26, 2026.

The details: - Kempf’s military service included deployments in Kuwait, the former Yugoslavia, Côte d’Ivoire, Bosnia and Chad. - Those assignments took place under national, NATO, European Union and United Nations frameworks. - At NATO headquarters, Kempf headed the Secretary-General’s strategic foresight unit. - Kempf also led the French Army’s digital transformation and cyber defence policy. - Kempf holds a PhD in Political Science. - Kempf has taught at Sciences Po Paris, HEC, École Polytechnique and École de Guerre. - Kempf founded and directs La Vigie, a strategic analysis consultancy. - Kempf is also an associate researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS). - Kempf has written extensively on geopolitics, cyber strategy and international security. - IADSS said Kempf’s mix of operational military experience, NATO strategy, digital transformation and cyber defence brings valuable perspective to the board. - The summit says its Global Advisory Board brings together independent military, strategic, academic and technology expertise. - IADSS says the summit series will be hosted across multiple countries. - IADSS says the summit is not meant to create rules or policies, but to provide an international forum for open dialogue and shared understanding. - The IADSS Network and Directory will extend engagement throughout the year and connect defence expertise, institutions, technologies and opportunities. - The organization behind IADSS is Great Minds Event Management in Dubai, UAE. - The summit’s website is more information.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals that IADSS wants credibility from leaders with both battlefield experience and policy-level expertise. - The release repeatedly frames autonomous defence as a governance issue, not just a technology issue. - The reference to renewed calls from the United Nations Secretary-General and the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross reflects growing pressure for human oversight in autonomous weapons discussions.

What’s next: - IADSS is expected to use the advisory board to shape discussion across its summit series and broader network. - The summit will continue linking governments, armed forces, researchers and industry around emerging defence technologies. - The advisory board will likely remain a central part of IADSS’s effort to expand international dialogue on responsible autonomy in defence.

The bottom line: - IADSS is building an international advisory platform around autonomous defence, and Kempf’s appointment strengthens its military and strategic depth.