The recent Cocktails & Conversations NPS Alumni event, co-hosted by 8VC and the NPS Foundation, was an exploration of the future of AI in government, national security and mobility. Held on September 10th at 8VC’s San Francisco office, the event brought together NPS alumni and 8VC industry professionals for a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Col. (Ret) Todd Lyons, Vice President of the NPS Foundation. The panel featured AI and defense experts Col. (Ret) Randy Pugh, Vice Provost for Warfare Studies at NPS and Director of the Naval Warfare Studies Institute at NPS; Alex Moore, Partner at 8VC; and Daniel Buchmueller, Ex-SVP Eng at VAST and Co-Founder of Amazon Prime Air, who explored the transformative potential of AI in defense and beyond.
The conversation addressed how AI is reshaping national security, defense logistics and education, highlighting the democratization of AI access and the need to balance human oversight with emerging technologies. Key themes included AI's ability to optimize complex systems, the rise of autonomous systems like drone swarming, and the generational shift in AI adoption, particularly within the military.
A standout point from the discussion came from Moore, who emphasized that as AI becomes more integrated, it's crucial not to lose the human element. Young people need to shift their training to AI tools while still learning through the apprenticeship model, which fosters innovation and ensures future leaders are well-prepared. This reflects the panel's consensus on AI as a complement to human skills, highlighting the importance of the military in this process and institutions like the Naval Postgraduate School, which is educating the next generation of AI experts to build a tech-enabled workforce for the Department of Defense. NPS plays a crucial role in equipping future leaders to navigate AI’s complexities in defense and beyond.
The audience, some of whom were re-engaging with NPS for the first time since graduation, remained actively engaged throughout the event, sparking vibrant exchanges of ideas. Beyond the panel, conversations explored new ideas for the Naval Innovation Center, potential partnerships, and the importance of staying connected with NPS as mentors and subject matter experts.
With plans for future events, this reception laid the groundwork for continued dialogue on AI’s expanding role in national security and industry. We look forward to the next Cocktails & Conversations with 8VC, scheduled for October 17 at the 8VC Office in Austin, TX. Register to attend here.
