Strategic simulations and decision analysis: Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg and Capital Shield to cooperate scientifically in the future

22. June 2026

The German Wargaming Center (GWC) at Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg (HSU/UniBw H) and the Australian company Capital Shield Australia Pty Ltd will be working together in the field of AI-supported crisis simulation in the future.

As part of the cooperation, the German Wargaming Center uses the Foresight platform for the design and implementation of strategic simulation exercises. The application maps central elements of modern information environments, including e-mail, chat, media and social media communication. The aim is to systematically investigate decision-making processes under conditions of uncertainty, time pressure and contradictory information.

Another focus is on the joint development of AI-supported simulation agents. These are intended to model adaptive behavior within complex scenarios. A first use case relates to the simulation of state actors. Here, scientific and methodological approaches of the German Wargaming Center are combined with the technical platform development of Capital Shield.

The agreement also creates a framework for a possible expansion of cooperation.

"Wargaming makes it possible to make human decisions visible, in which different assumptions, interests and options for action collide," says Dr. Joseph Verbovszky, Co-Director of the German Wargaming Center. "AI tools like Capital Shield's Foresight platform provide an analysis and simulation environment that allows us to examine these decisions in a structured way and track their potential consequences. This opens up opportunities to gain scientific knowledge on a larger scale than with traditional methods. The co-development of AI agents is particularly exciting – the use of AI often not only teaches us about machine intelligence, but also allows us to challenge our assumptions about human behavior." 

Tim Hobbs, Chief Executive Officer of Capital Shield, adds: "AI expands the methodological possibilities. The collaboration with an academic institution like the German Wargaming Center enables us to critically question and further refine simulation-based approaches with scientific expertise."

The cooperation is located at the interface of wargaming, decision research and simulation. Further joint projects, including additional exercises and the further development of the technologies used, are planned.