Guest Episode: Stefaan Verhulst on PeaceTech - Rethinking Technology in Global Conflict

What if we invested in peace the same way we invest in war?

In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna speaks with Stefaan Verhulst, co-founder of the GovLab in New York and The Data Tank in Brussels, about the overlooked and underfunded world of PeaceTech.

We explore:

1. What is PeaceTech really?
2. Why it’s drastically underfunded
3. How AI, data, and policy can support peace
4. Cultural biases that make peace seem "soft"
5. The potential for PeaceTech to rival Palantir, Anduril & other DefenseTech companies

🕙 Chapters

00:00 Intro to Stefaan Verhulst and his work

03:56 Explaining PeaceTech

13:30 Cultural Barriers to PeaceTech

17:03 The Role of Technology in Conflict and Peace

20:47 Examples of Successful Peace Tech Innovations

24:49 The Future of PeaceTech and Its Potential

28:26 Final Thoughts & Advice on Peace Tech

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