How DIU is using AI to Connect Commercial Innovation to the Warfighter
Release Date: 07/02/2025
I/ITSEC and the Future of Defense Training Technologies
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join ETI Associate Research Fellow Anna Kim for a live conversation from the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) with Bob Kleinhample, Director of the National Training and Simulation Association’s Next Big Things Initiative and CEO of Pioneer Sim. Drawing on his experience as an Army officer and longtime leader in modeling, simulation, and training, Bob shares insights on how emerging technologies are shaping the future of defense training and readiness. The discussion explores how artificial intelligence, quantum computing, human–machine...
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Industry and Innovation in the Tech Competition with China
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join host Arun Seraphin for a conversation on U.S.–China technology competition and industrial policy with Randy Shriver and Mike Kuiken of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Drawing from the Commission’s 2025 report, this episode examines how China uses state-directed industrial policy to accelerate innovation across critical sectors such as aerospace, biotechnology, semiconductors, and quantum computing—and what that means for U.S. economic and national security. Randy and Mike share insights from the Commission’s bipartisan work with Congress, highlighting...
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The Research Security Tightrope: Openness vs. Protection
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a deep dive into the evolving challenges of research security in national security R&D with guest Dr. Shanni Silberberg of Lewis-Burke Associates. Dr. Silberberg discusses the need to balance global scientific collaboration with national security protections, as well as the practical challenges of implementation and assessing research risks. The conversation also includes examining the proposed SAFE Research Act, which appeared in the House version of the FY 2026 NDAA but was not included in the final bill. The legislation would have limited federal funding...
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Following the Money: Inside Pentagon Tech Funding
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join host Arun Seraphin for a discussion into the complexities of tracking Pentagon funding for emerging technologies with experts Bess Dopkeen, founder of Keen Edge Strategies and former senior advisor to former Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu, and Andy Vanlandingham, Director of Strategic Outreach at Draper and former Senate Appropriations Committee Professional Staff Member. This conversation covers the full lifecycle of defense funding, from the President’s budget request, through congressional appropriations, all the way to contract execution and...
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Countering the Drone Threat: Inside the Evolving CsUAS Battlespace
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join host Arun Seraphin for an in-depth exploration of countering small unmanned aerial systems (CsUAS) technologies with Booz Allen Hamilton experts Todd Krakowski, Director of the Defense Technology Group, and Kelley Norton, Systems Engineer and Software Project Lead of the Small Unmanned Aircraft Detection System (SUADS) program. This conversation dives into the rapidly evolving drone warfare landscape and the expanding drone threat, tracing how counter-drone technologies have developed from conflict zones like Ukraine and cutting-edge development efforts in the U.S. Krakowski and Norton...
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Rethinking Command and Control Capabilities through JADC2
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for an in-depth exploration of the Pentagon's Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) strategy with Dr. David Bray, Chair of the Accelerator at the Loomis Council and a Distinguished Fellow with the Stimson Center, and Courtney Stiles, Executive Director of Customer Activities at REDCOM laboratories. The conversation delves into the complex challenges of connecting sensors, shooters, and decision-makers across multiple military domains. Together, they explore innovative approaches to network interoperability, resilience, and technological adaptation...
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Breaking Trail: Women In Security & How It’s Shaping the Future of Defense
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join Dr. Arun Seraphin at the 2025 Women in Defense (WID) Conference for a conversation with Michelle Letcher, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and CEO of Break Trail, exploring the critical landscape of women in security. Letcher provides profound insights into the evolving nature of modern warfare, emphasizing how traditional defense strategies fail to address borderless conflicts involving cyber influence, election interference, and social media disinformation campaigns. Drawing from her 30-year military career, she advocates for women in national security roles by creating networking...
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Advancing Defense Through Data and Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join Dr. Arun Seraphin at the Women in Defense Conference for an engaging discussion with Tara Murphy Dougherty, CEO of Govini and Service to the Flag Award recipient. Tara shares insights on the future of defense technology, public private partnerships (PPP), data-based decision-making, and national security innovation. Drawing on her vast experience across academia, government, and industry, she explores how public private partnerships (PPP) and emerging technologies are transforming the defense sector, as well as how the PFRAM assists in these decisions. Learn More: Govini: Be sure to...
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If GPS Fails, National Security Is at Risk
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Dana Goward, President of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation. Goward shares insights into the critical vulnerabilities of GPS and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies, highlighting the challenges facing U.S. national security. The discussion covers topics such as international PNT strategies and technological alternatives, including global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) like China’s BeiDou and Russia’s GLONASS, as well as Europe’s Galileo network. The conversation also examines defense infrastructure...
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Empowering Innovation in Defense Manufacturing and Policy
Emerging Tech Horizons
Join Arun Seraphin at the 2025 Women in Defense Conference for a conversation with Halimah Najieb-Locke, Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy at Darkhive. Halima explores how innovative defense technology startups can transform industrial policy and autonomous systems manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of distributed manufacturing, multi-agency partnerships, and strategic supply chain development for national security operations. To receive updates about the conference please join our mailing list here: ...
info_outlineJoin host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Cheryl Ingstad, Deputy Director for Digital Platforms & Developer Ecosystem at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). In this episode, Ms. Ingstad discusses DIU’s new Digital OnRamp Platform that connects commercial technology companies to DOD award opportunities, fulfilling warfighter needs. Additionally, we cover who this platform is made for, how it incorporates emerging AI technologies, and how industry can get involved in shaping the platform.
DIU wants the help of the commercial sector and academia to support the rollout of the Digital OnRamp this Fall. Sign up to become a test user of the platform when it is launched later this year at: https://www.diu.mil/digitalonramp
Additionally, DIU has an open solicitation for the platforms AI tools. Don’t wait to apply, this opening closes on July 8th, 2025. To submit your solution, visit: https://sam.gov/opp/f5e0bec63b684fd49d91b82bbf0932ea/view
If you want to learn more about DIU’s work on the Digital OnRamp, you can watch ETI’s previous webinar covering the platform in even more detail at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fhvJEezbU
Join us for the NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition on August 27-29 at the Washington D.C Convention Center. Registration is now open at https://www.ndiatechexpo.org.
This year, we will be joined by Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael and USD for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey as two of our engaging keynote speakers. The conference will also feature numerous breakout panels, government-industry speed dating, networking sessions, and a multi-day Hackathon.
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