Ian Kurtz is a mysterious antagonist holding the rank of colonel, marked by an obsession with the passing of time. He secretly orchestrates the unearthing of the powerful sentient robot B.U.E.R. for his own ends. His actions are driven by connections to the antagonistic organization "Poseidon," revealing involvement in larger, covert operations.

Kurtz operates with a silent, imposing robotic bodyguard named Fear, who acts as his enforcer. His efforts to control B.U.E.R. and leverage its power establish him as a persistent threat. His confrontation culminates during a critical incident where Uzal Delilah—or a holographic projection resembling her—distracts him, leading to his entrapment under collapsing rubble in an underground facility.

Originally, Kurtz was conceptualized as part of a shared background with *Ghost in the Shell: Arise*, where the character Kurtz in that series drew direct inspiration from him. Early plans intended for Ian Kurtz to appear in *Arise*, with Uzal Delilah designed as the same character as Dr. Zhinzhee Bekka Arr Thied. These interconnected settings were abandoned during development, resulting in distinct separations between the franchises.