John Adams
To Win the Next War, the Pentagon Must Make AI Its Strongest Technological Ally
This Veterans Day is a reminder that our armed services have earned the title of the world’s most lethal fighting force. Through blood, sweat, and bravery, America’s military has dominated the past 250 years of combat. But winning wars in the next century will require the defense community to stop treating AI like a potential adversary and embrace it as our trusted ally.
In the years since I retired from active duty, military technology has rapidly advanced. Indeed, the pace of change has only accelerated under the Trump Administration.
Spurred by the President’s AI Action Plan and Secretary Pete Hegseth’s focus on rebuilding our military, the Pentagon has forged promising partnerships with leading AI innovators. Just this summer, the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) awarded contracts worth up to $200 million each to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI. Tech on display at the recent AUSA conference – from ShieldAI’s X-BAT autonomous takeoff fighter jets to Anduril’s Eagle Eye modular AI-powered soldier headsets – only confirms that the future is here.
Recent actions from Congress and the White House laid the groundwork for this transformation. But, especially with the federal government stuck in a shutdown, policy alone won’t lead to operational outcomes. That’s where the private sector comes in.
Even with government activity grounded to a near-halt and 2026 appropriations uncertain, private sector pioneers are open for business and committed to the relentless pursuit of AI excellence. Nimble start-ups and established innovators continue working directly with mission partners to deliver AI-driven capabilities. If carried to their full potential, these AI/ML solutions could unlock new tactics and sharpen our competitive advantage across domains.
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