On Thursday, October 17, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation & Alumni Association in partnership with 8VC, hosted an insightful professional development event in Austin, Texas. This gathering brought together NPS alumni, industry experts and defense leaders for a discussion on the future of artificial intelligence in national security in an intimate and candid setting.
Moderated by Col. (Ret) Todd Lyons, Vice President of the NPS Foundation, the panel featured CDR (Ret) Justin Davis, Head of Strategy at Saronic Technologies; CAPT Eric Skalski, Dean of Students at NPS; and Alex Moore, Partner at 8VC. Their varied experiences created a dynamic panel on the crucial role AI is playing in reshaping military operations and the defense industry.
Throughout the evening, the panelists explored AI’s potential, and the challenges associated with its adoption by the Department of Defense. Skalski, who holds the title of “Bull Frog” as the longest serving current active-duty Navy SEAL, spoke on the critical need for AI in extending human capabilities, particularly through unmanned systems. Drawing on his experience at Task Force 66, Skalski explained how AI-driven maritime domain awareness is essential to operations. He also emphasized the growing threat posed by state and non-state actors, warning of how AI can be weaponized to carry out anonymous cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
Davis focused on the importance of innovation and collaboration, drawing from his background in both operational roles within Naval Special Warfare and at NPS and his current work at Saronic Technologies. He shared insights on how AI applications in defense must be developed with an understanding of real-world challenges faced by the warfighter. Davis highlighted that partnerships between NPS and companies like Saronic provide the bridge between theoretical research and practical solutions, ensuring that AI technologies meet the evolving needs of the military by working directly with the end user.
From the VC perspective, Moore emphasized the rapid pace of commercial AI innovation, likening it to “rocket fuel” for businesses. He pointed out that while the defense industry tends to move more cautiously, the commercial sector is developing technologies at an unprecedented speed, creating both opportunities and challenges for the DOD. Moore stressed that AI’s true strength lies in its scalability and adaptability across various sectors, and public-private partnerships are crucial for fostering technological breakthroughs.
Supporting the panelists' concern on AI accessibility to both state and non-state actors, Lyons shared an example from NPS Professor Harrison Schramm’s research, who demonstrated how even low-cost, accessible technologies like a $250 AI system built with a Raspberry Pi could address complex problem sets. This highlighted how non-state actors can deploy advanced AI capabilities with minimal resources, leveling the playing field in ways that challenge traditional defense strategies and reshape global security dynamics.
The panelists shared a sense of urgency about the need for swift AI adoption. While AI offers significant opportunities for enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making, the risks of falling behind are grave.
During the Q&A session, the audience raised questions about the ethical implications of AI, the risks of non-adoption, the role of open-source software in defense and what other technologies the DOD, particularly the NSW community, should be focused on. The panelists underscored the importance of collaboration among academia, industry and international partners, with institutions like the Naval Postgraduate School playing a vital role in these efforts. They also discussed how NPS students, through research projects and partnerships like those with Saronic Technologies, are actively working on solutions that could be applied directly to real-world military challenges.
The event fostered an intimate and open atmosphere, allowing attendees to engage deeply with the panelists and each other. It also brought together a vibrant group of NPS alumni and industry and defense experts from across Texas, with visitors traveling from the Dallas and Houston areas, facilitating connections and potential collaborations that will help shape the future of defense technology.
The evening showcased the power of these types of events, where innovative ideas and solutions for national security emerge from the creative collisions of NPS alumni and industry.
The NPS Foundation looks forward to partnering with industry for more events of this nature across the country. A special thank you to 8VC for their partnership in making this event possible and for their ongoing support of NPS alumni and defense innovation.
To stay up to date on upcoming events, visit: www.npsfoundation.org/alumni-events
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For More on AI, Explore these Book Recommendations from the Panel:
• CAPT Eric Skalski: The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare by Christian Brose
• Justin Davis: To Rule the Waves: How Control of the World's Oceans Shapes the Fate of the Superpowers by Bruce Jones
• Alex Moore: AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan
