03.12.2025

PeaceTech: Austrian-Made Technology that Serves Peace

PeaceTech may sound like something from a think tank or a tech incubator, but, at its core, it is about something straightforward: using digital tools to support peace.

It refers to the use of technologies, such as mobile apps, open data platforms, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and secure communication systems, to prevent conflict, strengthen social cohesion, and enable peacebuilding to be carried out more safely and effectively. The aim is to ensure that technology advances not just for its own sake, but also actively helps people build inclusive and resilient societies.

With growing global interest in this field comes real risk. If PeaceTech is developed without the voices of peacebuilders and communities, it can become too technical, top-down, or even harmful. Over 90% of AI training data originates in Europe and North America, yet over 80% of violent conflicts occur elsewhere. That imbalance shows why we must design tools that reflect lived realities rather than abstract datasets.

PeaceTech must therefore stay human-centric, built with those working for peace, not just for them. It is not about coding, but about collaboration: bringing together technologists, diplomats, educators, peacebuilders, and community members to co-create solutions that fit their needs and context.

Austria is taking a leading role through the PeaceTech Alliance, hosted by the Austrian Institute of Technology, with partners from academia, diplomacy, and civil society. The Alliance aims to position Austria as a global hub for ethical, human-centric PeaceTech combining research, policy, and practice to ensure that innovation serves peace and people alike.

It is a community-driven, not-for-profit initiative, rooted in Austria but open to everyone who wants to take part. The PeaceTech Alliance promotes digital sovereignty, responsible data use, and accessible tools for peacebuilders worldwide. Anyone curious about how technology can support peace is welcome to get involved. It is a space for collaboration and exchange, where ideas can be tested and new approaches developed together.

Field Reflections: the Need for Low Tech but High Impact

In the field, PeaceTech often looks less like high-tech innovation and more like the creative use of simple tools. Community mediators may use messaging apps to coordinate, local radio to counter rumours or spread messages of peace, or shared spreadsheets to track needs and responses. These are all examples of PeaceTech in practice.

If PeaceTech is to work, it must start from these realities. It should build on what people already know and trust rather than imposing complex systems that do not fit their environment. The most effective technologies are those that adapt to local contexts and support peacebuilders' everyday work.

At its best, PeaceTech is not about innovation for its own sake but about empathy, inclusion, and practicality. It succeeds when technology amplifies human connection instead of replacing it.

The PeaceTech Alliance is a collaborative platform led by the Austrian Institute of Technology and supported by partners across Austria and Europe. It brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and technologists to explore how technology can be used responsibly to support peace and human security. The Alliance is open to new members and contributors who wish to share ideas, test tools, or co-develop initiatives.

Find out more or get involved at www.peacetechalliance.at.