Elliot Ackerman joined Admiral James Stavridis and Suzanne Kelly, CEO of The Cipher Brief, on The Cipher Brief's State Secrets Podcast to discuss 2084, the final installment in the speculative fiction trilogy that began with 2034 and continued with 2054.
The conversation explores artificial intelligence, climate disruption, information warfare, geopolitical rivalry, and the future of global security. Ackerman and Stavridis examine how emerging technologies, environmental pressure, and shifting power centers may reshape the character of conflict in the decades ahead.
2084 and the Future of War
In 2084, Ackerman and Stavridis use fiction to explore the strategic risks that could define the coming century. Their discussion considers how AI-enabled decision-making, autonomous systems, surveillance, and cognitive warfare may challenge existing assumptions about deterrence, military strategy, and national security.
Climate Conflict and Geopolitical Competition
The episode also examines the connection between climate disruption and international security. Topics include climate-driven migration, resource competition, U.S.-China rivalry, democratic resilience, and the growing strategic importance of the Arctic.
Fiction as Strategic Warning
Ackerman and Stavridis discuss how fiction can help readers think through future crises before they arrive. Rather than predicting the future, novels such as 2084 provide a framework for understanding how technology, climate, power, and human behavior may converge.
Watch the Full Conversation
Watch Elliot Ackerman, Admiral James Stavridis, and Suzanne Kelly discuss 2084, artificial intelligence, climate conflict, information warfare, and the future of global stability on The Cipher Brief's State Secrets Podcast.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube