Dr. Nikos Loutas | Navigating NATO's Innovation Landscape
Mon Jan 12 2026
In this episode of Innovator Insights, Scott Fisher sits down with Dr. Nikos Loutas, NATO's Director of Innovation,. They discuss the organization's role in fostering technological advancements and innovation within the defense sector. He outlines NATO's strategic priorities, the importance of collaboration with startups, and the implementation of AI and data governance as critical components of modern defense capabilities. Dr. Loutas emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to innovation policy, drawing from his diverse background in academia, the European Commission, and the private sector. The conversation also highlights NATO's initiatives like Diana and the NATO Innovation Fund, aimed at bridging the gap between civilian technology and military needs.
Resources and Links for
Emerging and disruptive technologies
Updated: 25 June 2025: https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/emerging-and-disruptive-technologies?selectedLocale=
Summary of NATO's Rapid Adoption Action Plan
25 June 2025: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2025/06/25/summary-of-natos-rapid-adoption-action-plan
Summary of NATO's revised Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy
10 July 2024: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2024/07/10/summary-of-natos-revised-artificial-intelligence-ai-strategy
Summary of NATO’s Autonomy Implementation Plan
13 October 2022: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2022/10/13/summary-of-natos-autonomy-implementation-plan
Summary of NATO’s Quantum Technologies Strategy
16 January 2024: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2024/01/16/summary-of-natos-quantum-technologies-strategy
Summary of NATO's Biotechnology and Human Enhancement Technologies Strategy
12 April 2024: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2024/04/12/summary-of-natos-biotechnology-and-human-enhancement-technologies-strategy
DIANA
https://www.diana.nato.int/index.html
NATO Innovation Fund
https://www.nif.fund/
More
In this episode of Innovator Insights, Scott Fisher sits down with Dr. Nikos Loutas, NATO's Director of Innovation,. They discuss the organization's role in fostering technological advancements and innovation within the defense sector. He outlines NATO's strategic priorities, the importance of collaboration with startups, and the implementation of AI and data governance as critical components of modern defense capabilities. Dr. Loutas emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to innovation policy, drawing from his diverse background in academia, the European Commission, and the private sector. The conversation also highlights NATO's initiatives like Diana and the NATO Innovation Fund, aimed at bridging the gap between civilian technology and military needs. Resources and Links for Emerging and disruptive technologies Updated: 25 June 2025: https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/emerging-and-disruptive-technologies?selectedLocale= Summary of NATO's Rapid Adoption Action Plan 25 June 2025: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2025/06/25/summary-of-natos-rapid-adoption-action-plan Summary of NATO's revised Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy 10 July 2024: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2024/07/10/summary-of-natos-revised-artificial-intelligence-ai-strategy Summary of NATO’s Autonomy Implementation Plan 13 October 2022: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2022/10/13/summary-of-natos-autonomy-implementation-plan Summary of NATO’s Quantum Technologies Strategy 16 January 2024: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2024/01/16/summary-of-natos-quantum-technologies-strategy Summary of NATO's Biotechnology and Human Enhancement Technologies Strategy 12 April 2024: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2024/04/12/summary-of-natos-biotechnology-and-human-enhancement-technologies-strategy DIANA https://www.diana.nato.int/index.html NATO Innovation Fund https://www.nif.fund/