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π Geopolitics

Cognitive warfare: an invisible conquest of our minds?

4 episodes

1

Cognitive warfare: the new battlefield exploiting our brains
2

Cognitive warfare: what seven years of military-civilian research reveals
3

Training the tactical brain: where cognitive science meets military excellence
4

Cognitive training for war: how to prepare for uncertainty

Épisode 1/4

Cognitive warfare: the new battlefield exploiting our brains

On February 5th, 2025

5 min reading time

Bernard Claverie

Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Sciences at Bordeaux Institute of Technology

Key takeaways

Cognitive warfare explores the potential manipulation by hostile actors using cognitive science, such as propaganda and disinformation.
It encompasses operations aimed at corrupting the adversary's thought processes and altering their decision-making capacity using a scientific approach.
It affects the cognitive capacities of individuals through the use of technologies, which can influence attention and reactions in the short term, and cognitive structure in the long term.
To deal with this, we need to physically protect people in strategic situations and promote the sensible use of digital technology, despite the challenges.
The Gecko project aims to develop systems for exploring cognitive warfare in the context of fictitious crises, in order to prepare those involved in national security operations.

Épisode 2/4

Cognitive warfare: what seven years of military-civilian research reveals

On November 5th, 2025

5 min reading time

Didier Bazalgette

Doctor of Neuroscience, former AI and Cognitive Sciences Advisor to the Defense Innovation Agency

Paul Janin

PhD student in Cognitive Science at CEA Paris-Saclay

Key takeaways

The term “cognitive warfare” was first used in 2017, without being specifically defined, by Vincent Stewart.
A few years later, the concept of Cognitive Net Assessment (CNA) emerged, seeking to understand the mechanisms of stability and imbalance in contemporary cognitive environments.
Three concepts therefore structure the NAC: decision-making overload, cognitive collapse, and cognitive entropy.
Starting in 2022, the use of consumer AI will enable cognitive warfare to move beyond the artisanal stage and enter the era of “mass production.”
Finally, Langlois-Berthelot and Gaie's model is structured around collective narratives, institutional mediation, and political regulation with the aim of achieving cognitive stability.

Soldiers attending class in military school learning from instructor

Épisode 3/4

Training the tactical brain: where cognitive science meets military excellence

On January 6th, 2026

5 min reading time

Emmanuel Phelut

Director of Centre de l’Enseignement Militaire Supérieur-Terre (CEMS-T)

Jean Langlois-Berthelot

Doctor of Applied Mathematics and Head of Division in the French Army

Key takeaways

In 1993, Gary Klein’s “naturalistic decision-making” model demonstrated that experienced decision-makers recognise familiar patterns in a situation.
Three years later, Kaempf’s work demonstrated that officers trust their intuition, forged by experience, rather than exhaustive analysis.
In 2024, the CEMS-T, a benchmark institution for the training of senior army officers, was established in France.
Its objective is to provide officers with training focused on decision-making in unstable environments, understanding the interactions between politics, economics and the military, etc.
At CEMS-T, cooperation and the exchange of ideas are encouraged between officers from different branches of the armed forces, civilians, reservists and foreigners.

Soldier Using Laptop in Mountainous Terrain

Épisode 4/4

Cognitive training for war: how to prepare for uncertainty

On January 21st, 2026

5 min reading time

Didier Bazalgette

Doctor of Neuroscience, former AI and Cognitive Sciences Advisor to the Defense Innovation Agency

Paul Janin

PhD student in Cognitive Science at CEA Paris-Saclay

Key takeaways

Speculative storytelling uses fiction as a tool for reflection and questions the social, political, and technological effects of war.
Analyses by the RAND Corporation (2020-2022) and NATO MSG-190 (2021) have established that the adaptability of armed forces must be increased.
However, unlike its effect on culture, cognitive progress is not measurable in terms of preparedness, mechanism, or response.
Three recurring limitations exist in these fictional formats: linear temporality, delayed feedback, and the absence of behavioral metrics.
Scenario planning explains and relies on the coherence of the discourse, while experimentation verifies and measures.

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π Geopolitics

Cognitive warfare: an invisible conquest of our minds?

Cognitive warfare: the new battlefield exploiting our brains

Key takeaways

Cognitive warfare: what seven years of military-civilian research reveals

Key takeaways

Training the tactical brain: where cognitive science meets military excellence

Key takeaways

Cognitive training for war: how to prepare for uncertainty

Key takeaways

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