Exploring Responsible AI for Defence with SmartDev

Artificial intelligence in defence and security is rapidly reshaping the landscape in Europe. As geopolitical complexity increases and digital systems become deeply embedded in national security operations, the focus is shifting from experimental AI to deployable, governed, and accountable AI systems. It is within this context that the AI in Defence Summit 2026, taking place on 2 February in Brussels, Beligium, provides an important forum for dialogue between policymakers, defence institutions, and technology practitioners. 

SmartDev will participate in the summit as part of its ongoing exploration of defence and dual use of AI applications. Our objective is not to make broad claims about defence expertise, but to contribute practical AI engineering perspectives grounded in real world implementation experience. 

From Enterprise AI to Defence Contexts 

SmartDev’s foundation lies in enterprise and industrial AI. For years, we have designed and delivered AI systems that operate in highly regulated environments, where security, reliability, and auditability are non-negotiable. These environments include finance, healthcare, industrial platforms, and large-scale enterprise systems. 

Many of the core capabilities developed in these sectors are directly transferable to defence and security contexts when applied responsibly. These include: 

• AI infrastructure platforms designed for resilience and controlled deployment 

• Advanced data analytics operating on sensitive, mission critical datasets 

• Workflow automation systems that reduce operational friction while maintaining oversight 

~ 안에 defence settings, these capabilities must meet even higher expectations around governance, explainability, and compliance. This is where SmartDev의 experience becomes relevant that has extensive experience designing AI systems for environments where regulatory scrutiny, risk management, and operational reliability are paramount. This background enables us to translate abstract governance principles into concrete system architectures, controls, and workflows. As defence organisations move from experimentation to deployment, this implementation discipline becomes a critical success factor.

A Clear and Responsible Positioning 

SmartDev is not positioning itself as a defence specialist. Instead, we approach the defence domain as AI engineers and transformation partners who understand how to move from theory to production under strict constraints. 

Our focus is on building AI systems that are: 

• Secure by design, with embedded controls across data, models, and infrastructure 

• Explainable and auditable, supporting oversight, accountability, and regulatory review 

• Compliance ready, aligned with European regulatory and institutional requirements 

This perspective reflects a belief that successful defence AI will not be defined by model sophistication alone, but by how well systems can be governed, trusted, and sustained over time. 

From Strategy to Implementation 

A recurring challenge in defence innovation is the gap between strategic intent and operational reality. Many AI initiatives struggle not because of technical limitations, but due to unclear ownership, insufficient governance frameworks, or lack of integration with existing systems. 

SmartDev brings a strongly implemented mindset. We work across the full lifecycle of AI systems, from architecture design and data pipelines to deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. This makes us particularly interested in: 

• Pilot programs that test AI in controlled, real-world scenarios 

• Proof of Concept initiatives that validate feasibility before scale 

• Co creation models with public and private stakeholders to align objectives early 

We believe that collaboration, rather than standalone experimentation, is essential for building defence AI systems that deliver lasting value. Collaboration enables shared accountability, faster learning cycles, and closer alignment between technical capabilities, operational needs, and policy constraints across the defence ecosystem.

Meet Our Representative

At the AI in Defence Summit 2026, SmartDev will be represented by Nikita Chepenko, Head of EU Office. His participation reflects our intention to listen, learn, and engage with others who are shaping Europe’s defence AI ecosystem. With the aim to lead AI product 그리고 business development across Europe at the intersection of AI, product, and commercial strategy, Nikita focuses on turning AI from concept ~ 안으로 scalable products 그리고 measurable business value, spanning both standalone AI products 그리고 client-specific AI transformation initiatives. 

Engaging with Europe’s Defence AI Ecosystem 

The summit provides an opportunity to exchange insights on topics such as dual use technologies, sovereign AI capabilities, cyber resilience, and the evolving regulatory environment. For SmartDev, these conversations are a critical part of understanding how our AI engineering expertise can responsibly support defence innovation. 

앞으로의 전망 

AI will play an increasingly central role in defence and security, but its success will depend on discipline as much as ambition. Systems must be designed not only to perform, but to be governed, explained, and trusted. 

SmartDev enters this space with humility, technical depth, and a clear focus on responsible implementation. We look forward to engaging with partners across Europe to explore how secure, explainable, and compliance ready AI systems can support defence objectives in a practical and sustainable way.