At a time when technology is accelerating business while simultaneously increasing its exposure, security is no longer an operational support issue. It is becoming a strategic question that directly impacts revenue, continuity, and trust.
This shift was at the core of the sixth edition of the Future Tense powered by Lürssen conference, where futurists and business leaders addressed how to plan in the context of unstable geopolitical dynamics and the expanding role of artificial intelligence.
“If it’s smart, it’s vulnerable,” said Mikko Hyppönen, one of the world’s most recognized cybersecurity experts. His statement reflects a fundamental paradox of modern business: the more advanced systems become, the more exposed they are.
Hyppönen emphasized that autonomy in artificial intelligence is not inherently the problem. The issue arises when errors, enabled by that same autonomy, begin to scale faster than systems can control them.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It directly affects revenue, business continuity, trust, and physical safety. In a world where digital threats increasingly translate into real-world consequences, security must become a core business and governance decision.”
This perspective was further reinforced during the panel Technology & AI: Powering Tomorrow, featuring Damir Habijan, Teuta Duletić from Lürssen Design Centre Kvarner, and Ivan Paić from Končar.
Paić highlighted that in industries such as energy and manufacturing, security can no longer be treated as a separate layer.
“The digitalization of infrastructure inevitably increases exposure to cyber threats. In such an environment, cybersecurity must be an integral part of technological development, not an afterthought.”
This view gains additional relevance in the context of hybrid conflicts, where attacks increasingly target critical infrastructure, blurring the line between digital and physical space.
Beyond security, the conference also addressed broader questions of leadership and responsibility. Rik Vera spoke about the transformation of leadership in his session What It Takes to Lead Next, while Märtha Rehnberg focused on the relationship between technology, environment, and responsibility.
Future Tense powered by Lürssen once again brought together leaders from business, academia, and science, reinforcing its position as a platform that connects long-term thinking with concrete business decisions.
In collaboration with Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS), IEDC – Bled School of Management, Association for the Promotion of Smart Industries, and European Forum, and with the support of partners including Lürssen, BOSQAR INVEST, Erste&Steiermärkische Bank, Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Kaufland, Končar, Nestlé, Philip Morris International, and Visa, the conference continues to build a space for exchange that goes beyond individual industries.
The conclusion that emerges is not only about technology. In a world where change accelerates and risks multiply, security is no longer a reaction. It becomes the foundation on which every future business decision is built.
