ARIEN contributed as an expert to the two-day Technology Foresight Workshop hosted in Lisbon by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), on 11 and 12 February 2026. The event brought together specialists and institutional representatives to examine emerging technologies, supply-side disruption, and Europe’s preparedness for evolving drug market risks.

Drawing from real-world pilots, field validation, and research-driven analysis, ARIEN provided insights grounded in operational realities. Bridging innovation and practice is essential to ensure that strategic foresight discussions translate into implementable, field-ready solutions.

The workshop focused on forward-looking themes, including the impact of emerging technologies on illicit drug production and trafficking; new patterns of supply-side adaptation and criminal innovation; strategic risk anticipation and scenario development; and strengthening Europe’s collective response capacity.

Anticipating technological change is not optional — it is essential. Criminal networks continuously adapt, leveraging innovation to enhance resilience and concealment. Europe must therefore strengthen its collective foresight capacity to remain proactive rather than reactive.

Strengthening Europe’s ability to anticipate and respond to evolving drug market risks requires collaboration between research institutions, operational actors, policymakers, and technology developers.

ARIEN remains committed to contributing research-driven, field-informed expertise to strategic European discussions — ensuring that Artificial Intelligence is developed and deployed in ways that are operationally effective, legally compliant, and aligned with EU values.