Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Emerging Tech Horizons

In this special joint edition of Emerging Tech Horizons, recorded live from the Emerging Technologies Conference in Washington, DC, Stephanie Halcrow and Mark Lewis explore how emerging technologies are being developed, adopted, and brought into practical defense applications.Stephanie speaks with Jason Potter, former Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition and now Principal at Whitehaven Strategies, about modernizing shipbuilding through robotics, automation, and new approaches to naval platform design. They discuss acquisition reform, manufacturing challenges, and the importance of incorporating power, data, AI, and modular architectures into the design of next-generation ships. Mark speaks with Stephanie Hughes, CEO and Co-Founder of North AI, about technology intelligence, horizon scanning, and using AI and large-scale data to identify emerging trends and inform decision-making. They also discuss the challenges small businesses face when trying to bring new technologies into government, the importance of human expertise in AI-enabled analysis, and how emerging technologies can move from insight to operational impact. Together, the conversations highlight the broader challenge of turning emerging technology into meaningful defense capability—from identifying what is coming next to integrating new technologies into the systems, platforms, and missions that depend on them.Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, inside scoops, & more:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1#EmergingTechnology #DefenseTechnology #AI

As military missions become increasingly complex, the technologies, infrastructure, and sustainment capabilities needed to support them are evolving as well. From contested logistics and forward repair to predictive maintenance and Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging technology is changing how the defense industrial base supports military readiness.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, host Dr. Arun Seraphin, Executive Director of NDIA’s Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI), speaks with Dr. Carl Spinnweber, President of Amentum’s Mission Solutions Group, about Amentum’s history, its role in the defense industrial base, and how the company is using emerging technology and AI to support complex missions around the world.

The conversation explores Amentum’s role in the organic industrial base, forward-deployed sustainment, repair forward, remote expert technology, predictive maintenance, and contested logistics. They also discuss how Amentum is applying Artificial Intelligence (AI), telemaintenance, and additive manufacturing to improve mission readiness, as well as the importance of partnerships between government, large defense companies, small businesses, and technology providers.

The episode also examines Acquisition Reform and how changes in defense acquisition can help accelerate the adoption of emerging technology, strengthen the industrial base, and improve military readiness.

Topics include:

• Forward repair, contested logistics, and sustainment
• Emerging Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and predictive maintenance
• The organic Industrial Base and mission readiness
• Acquisition Reform and technology partnerships
• ETI perspectives on emerging technologies and defense modernization

Learn More About Amentum

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#Amentum #EmergingTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #IndustrialBase

In this special edition of Emerging Tech Horizons, recorded live from the Emerging Technologies Conference in Washington, DC, Mark Lewis speaks with Jason Rathje, President of Public Sector at WebAI, about the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in defense.They discuss Jason’s experience connecting emerging technologies with the Department of Defense, from the Air Force Ventures program and Office of Strategic Capital to his work at WebAI. The conversation explores the potential of local and distributed AI architectures, bringing intelligence directly to warfighters in disconnected environments, and the challenges of moving AI from prototypes into practical defense capabilities. Jason also shares examples of AI applications in the field, including casualty evacuation and aircraft maintenance, and discusses what the future of AI-enabled decision-making could look like for the military.Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, inside scoops, & more:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1#ArtificialIntelligence #DistributedAI #DefenseAI #DefenseTechnology #MilitaryInnovation

In this special edition of Emerging Tech Horizons, recorded live from the Emerging Technologies Conference in Washington, DC, Mark Lewis speaks with Frank Finelli, Senior Advisor at The Carlyle Group, about the role of capital markets in strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base.They discuss the challenges facing U.S. industrial capacity, mobilization, and vulnerable supply chains, including dependencies on critical minerals and other foreign sources. The conversation also explores how private equity, venture capital, credit markets, and government contracting can work together to accelerate investment, expand production capacity, and build more resilient defense supply chains.Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, inside scoops, & more:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1#EmergingTechnology #DefenseIndustrialBase #CapitalMarkets #SupplyChainResilience

Building a stronger Defense Industrial Base is about more than adopting new technologies or changing acquisition policy. The processes organizations use to measure performance, manage risk, and continually improve their capabilities can play an important role in building a more productive, resilient, and innovative Defense Industrial Base.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, host Dr. Arun Seraphin, Executive Director of NDIA’s Emerging Technologies Institute, speaks with Ron Lear, Vice President of CMMI Global Strategies at the CMMI Institute, about how CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) can help organizations improve performance across software, hardware, workforce development, supply chain management, security, safety, data management, and more.

They discuss:

• What CMMI is and how it has evolved beyond its origins in software

• How CMMI differs from and complements CMMC

• Using performance-based approaches to improve organizational capability

• How CMMI can help companies entering or expanding within the defense industrial base

• The role of maturity levels, organizational processes, and continuous improvement

• How CMMI can work alongside Agile, Lean Six Sigma, and other methodologies

• How government organizations and defense organizations can use CMMI to improve their own processes

• Applying CMMI across the defense industrial base and throughout the government

• How organizations can reduce the burden of managing multiple audits, standards, and compliance requirements

• The growing impact of AI on organizational processes and performance

• CMMI’s AI maturity initiative and the importance of intentional AI adoption and governance

• How AI can amplify both organizational strengths and existing dysfunctions

• What CMMI could contribute to building a more productive defense industrial base

Learn more about the CMMI Institute, including resources, case studies, and its AI maturity initiative: https://cmmiinstitute.com

For organizations interested in learning more about CMMI and how to get started, the CMMI Institute also works with a global network of partners providing training, consulting, and appraisal services.

Learn more about the Emerging Technologies Institute:

https://www.ndiaeti.org

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#CMMI #DefenseIndustrialBase #EmergingTech #EmergingTechnology

In this special edition of Emerging Tech Horizons, recorded live from the Emerging Technologies Conference in Washington, DC, Mark Lewis speaks with Ruba Elbasha, Partner at Guidehouse, about the role of AI in transforming defense financial management.

They discuss what it means to take a human-centered approach to AI, how organizations can align technology with their workforce, and why human judgment remains critical in AI-enabled decision-making. The conversation also explores workforce training, responsible AI adoption, and how AI could reduce administrative burdens while enabling financial professionals to become more analytical and forward-looking.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org

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#EmergingTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanCenteredAI #FinancialManagement 

In this special edition of Emerging Tech Horizons, recorded live from the Emerging Technologies Conference in Washington, DC, Stephanie Halcrow speaks with Lt. Col. Jared 'CLiF' Bindl, Chief Innovation Officer at AFRICOM, about how the command is working to make innovation part of its day-to-day operations.

They discuss AFRICOM’s approach to operationalizing innovation and how the command is working with industry and international partners to test and scale emerging technologies in operationally relevant environments. The conversation also explores the importance of integration readiness, manufacturing and scalability, early operational involvement, and the cultural changes needed to support innovation across the defense enterprise.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org

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#EmergingTechnology #DefenseInnovation #AFRICOM #MilitaryInnovation

Biomanufacturing is rapidly expanding beyond traditional applications in food and medicine, with emerging technologies offering new possibilities for national security, military logistics, and supply chain resilience.In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, host Sam Moyer, Research Fellow at the Emerging Technologies Institute, speaks with Maille O’Donnell, Policy Lead for Public Investment and Industry at the Good Food Institute, about the growing role of biomanufacturing in the defense industrial base. Drawing from a report they coauthored, they explore how fermentation, bioreactors, and other biomanufacturing technologies could help produce food and other products in more flexible and resource-constrained environments.Topics include:- The fundamentals and evolution of biomanufacturing- How food biomanufacturing could support contested logistics- Producing protein using fermentation and alternative feedstocks- Military and humanitarian applications of small-scale bioreactors- Biomanufacturing’s potential to strengthen supply chain resilience- The global competition surrounding biotechnology and manufacturing- Challenges in financing and scaling biomanufacturing facilities- How public investment, procurement, and demand signals could help move technologies from development to deployment- Opportunities for industry to engage with the defense communityLearn More & ResourcesRead the research brief that informed this discussion:https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/-/media/ndia-eti/reports/food-biomanufacturing/eti_foodbiomanufacturing_report_final.pdf?download=1Read the related article in National Defense Magazine:https://digital.nationaldefensemagazine.org/september-2026/page-38For more information about this topic, contact Molly O’Donnell at mailleo@gfi.org.Learn more about the Emerging Technologies Institute:https://www.ndiaeti.orgFollow ETI:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo8Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8#Biomanufacturing #Biotechnology #EmergingTechnology #NationalSecurity #DefenseIndustrialBase #SupplyChainResilience #ContestedLogistics #FoodSecurity

In this special edition of Emerging Tech Horizons, recorded live from the Emerging Technologies Conference in Washington, DC, Mark Lewis speaks with Grant Meyer, Chair of NDIA’s Electronics Division, about the role of microelectronics in the future of defense systems.They discuss the challenges of moving advanced commercial technologies from prototypes into practical defense capabilities, the importance of aligning commercial and government technology roadmaps, and how the defense community can balance speed, reliability, security, and scale. The conversation also explores how commercial microelectronics can help advance defense capabilities while meeting the demanding requirements of military systems.NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications covering all things emerging tech, visit: ndiaeti.org #EmergingTechnology #Microelectronics #DefenseTechnology #Semiconductors #DefenseInnovation

In this special edition of Emerging Tech Horizons, recorded live from the Emerging Technologies Conference in Washington, DC, Mark Lewis speaks with Sarah Starr, a PhD student in Systems Engineering at George Washington University and an Army Reserve officer.They discuss the challenges of testing and evaluating multi-agent AI systems, the importance of appropriate human reliance and oversight, and how human-AI teaming could evolve as AI systems become more capable and complex. Sarah also shares insights from her research into how AI systems should be designed to support better human decision-making in defense workflows.NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.orgBe sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8And for more podcasts, articles, & publications covering all things emerging tech, visit: ndiaeti.org#ArtificialIntelligence #MultiAgentAI #HumanAITeaming #DefenseTechnology #EmergingTechnology

Critical minerals form the foundation of modern defense and commercial technologies, from fighter aircraft and missile systems to satellites, batteries, and advanced electronics. As global supply chains remain vulnerable to disruption and critical mineral processing remains concentrated overseas, securing reliable access to these materials has become an increasingly important challenge for the U.S. industrial base.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Dr. Arun Seraphin speaks with Brett Lambert, Executive Chairman of VaultCo and Managing Director of the Densmore Group, about the effort to strengthen U.S. access to critical minerals. They discuss Lambert’s experience shaping manufacturing and industrial policy at the Pentagon, the creation of Project Vault and VaultCo, and how a public-private approach can help address vulnerabilities across critical mineral supply chains.

Key topics include:

- How critical mineral dependencies can create vulnerabilities across the defense and commercial industrial base.

- How VaultCo’s demand-driven model is designed to create a strategic “stock buffer” of critical minerals and connect industry demand with available supply.

- The differences between VaultCo’s approach and traditional government stockpiles, and how it complements other federal efforts to strengthen critical mineral supply chains.

- Why expanding domestic and allied processing capacity will be essential to building a more resilient industrial base, and how government and private-sector investments can work together to address these challenges.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org

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#CriticalMinerals #DefenseIndustrialBase #SupplyChain #NationalSecurity #EmergingTechnology

Emerging technology is reshaping how ships are designed, built, maintained, and sustained across the U.S. maritime industrial base. As the U.S. Navy works to modernize its fleet and increase shipbuilding production, shipbuilders are turning to digital engineering, advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and new approaches to acquisition and workforce development to deliver more capable ships faster and more efficiently.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Dr. Arun Seraphin speaks with Admiral Rick Hunt, President of Fincantieri Marinette Marine and a member of NDIA’s Board of Directors, about the emerging technologies, digital engineering practices, advanced manufacturing processes, and workforce challengesshaping the future of American shipbuilding. Drawing on his 37 years of Navy experience and leadership in industry, Hunt discusses how emerging technology, robotics, automation, and AI-enabled capabilities can strengthen the U.S. maritime industrial base and accelerate the delivery of future naval capabilities.

Key Topics Include:

- Why increasing production speed and designing future warships for producibility must become priorities in modern shipbuilding.

- The role of robotic welding, collaborative robots, automated panel lines, and other advanced manufacturing technologies in improving efficiency, safety, quality, and production capacity.

- How digital ship design, digital engineering, and model-based engineering can improve consistency, maintainability, and collaboration across shipyards and manufacturing locations.

- The importance of designing ships for readiness, maintainability, sustainability, and flexibility so they can adapt to emerging technologies, evolving missions, and future capability requirements.

- How commercial shipbuilding practices and dual-use emerging technologies can inform innovation across the defense industrial base.

- The changing relationship between traditional shipbuilders and non-traditional companies, particularly in the rapidly evolving unmanned maritime and autonomous systems sector.

- How acquisition reform, multi-year contracting, and stronger demand signals could encourage industry investment in emerging technology and advanced shipbuilding capabilities and expand shipbuilding capacity.

- The challenges facing the maritime workforce, from shortages of welders and skilled tradespeople to the need for more naval architects, engineers, and workers with digital engineering and advanced technology skills. Listen to this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons to explore how emerging technology, digital engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence are transforming the future of American shipbuilding and the U.S. maritime industrial base.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org

NDIA Emerging Technologies Conference: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org

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#EmergingTechnology #DigitalEngineering #Robotics #Shipbuilding #USNavy #DefenseInnovation #AdvancedManufacturing #MaritimeIndustry #DefenseIndustrialBase

Emerging technology is rapidly transforming unmanned systems, aviation, and defense operations. As autonomous technologies evolve from prototypes into systems that can be produced and deployed at scale, industry is rethinking how these platforms are designed, manufactured, and integrated into next-generation defense technology and mission capabilities.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Dr. Arun Seraphin speaks with Paul Fermo, President of Robinson Unmanned, a recently introduced business unit of Robinson Helicopter Company and previously known as Ascent AeroSystems, about the rapidly evolving world of unmanned aviation and autonomous drone technology. Drawing on his experience as a naval aviator, requirements developer, and industry leader, Fermo discusses how autonomous systems are evolving the relationship between manned and unmanned platforms and what it will take to deliver reliable defense capabilities at scale.

Key topics include:

• How smaller unmanned aircraft and drone systems are accelerating the pace of emerging technology development and creating new demands for agile manufacturing and production.

• The role of commercial and dual-use platforms in driving defense technology innovation, expanding applications, and creating opportunities to achieve greater production scale.

• How drones and unmanned aviation systems can support missions ranging from surveillance, search and rescue, and medical transport to contested logistics and casualty evacuation.

• The importance of modular, reliable, and upgradable unmanned platforms that allow operators to integrate new hardware and software as defense technologies evolve.

• How the Drone Dominance Program and advanced market commitments are helping push industry from emerging technology innovation toward industrialization, greater production capacity, and scalable drone capabilities.

• The convergence of artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, advanced materials, communications, and data exploitation in next-generation unmanned aviation and defense technology.

• The future of integrated, collaborative drone and autonomous systems in which multiple platforms work together and AI-enabled technologies help operators make faster, more informed decisions.

• Why multi-year purchasing signals could help industry make the long-term investments needed to build scalable unmanned aviation, drone, and defense capabilities.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org

NDIA Emerging Technologies Conference: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org

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#RobinsonUnmanned #sUAS #UASEcosystem #DroneIndustrialBase #UnmannedSystems #AutonomousSystems #DefenseTechnology #EmergingTechnology

That challenge is at the center of the 2026 Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference & Exhibition (ETC), taking place September 8–10 in Washington, D.C.

In this special episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, NDIA's Jen Walsh, Director of Divisions, and Rachel Sutherland, Director of Public Relations and Communications, provide a preview of what attendees can expect at this year's conference. From senior Department of Defense leadership and combatant commands to industry innovators, engineers, acquisition professionals, and researchers, NDIA ETC brings together the organizations responsible for developing, integrating, funding, and fielding defense technology and next-generation capabilities.

The episode also features Dr. Suzette Johnson, Chair of NDIA's Systems Engineering Division, who discusses how mission engineering, systems integration, digital engineering, and agile practices help transform emerging technology into mission-ready solutions that advance national security.

This year's event features:

• Keynote presentations from senior defense leaders, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior officials from Research & Engineering and Acquisition & Sustainment.
• A classified program on September 8, bringing together experts to discuss emerging technology and national security challenges in a secure environment.
• The Global Defense Hackathon, where teams from government, industry, and academia collaborate on real-world defense innovation challenges.
• A new co-location with the Society of Defense Financial Management's Data Analytics and Decision Support Conference, connecting defense technology development with the acquisition and financial frameworks needed to field capabilities.

Conference Registration: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org/registration

  NDIA: https://www.ndia.org

Emerging Tech Horizons Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5oQnv75FK5aCB0IeYAWVPon0C7Xa75sr&si=bLmHXoFhuLhA5WnM  

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#EmergingTechETI #ETC #DefenseInnovation #NationalSecurity #DefenseTechnology

The U.S. has no shortage of Emerging Technology and Defense Technology innovation, but getting that innovation into the hands of the Warfighter remains a challenge. As the pace of technological change accelerates, the Department of Defense (DoD) is rethinking how its research, development, and laboratory ecosystem can move faster and better connect Emerging Technology with operational needs and National Security priorities.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Arun Seraphin sits down with Jacob Glassman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies, to discuss the future of the defense innovation ecosystem and the role of the Department's laboratories in accelerating Defense Technology transition. Glassman shares insights from a recent review of the defense lab enterprise, including efforts to break down barriers to innovation, improve collaboration across laboratories, and get promising Emerging Technology to the Warfighter faster.

Link to study: https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Defense-Research-Enterprise-Review.pdf

Key topics include:

• Why the Department needs to move beyond simply out-innovating adversaries and learn to continuously innovate faster than the pace of change on the battlefield, strengthening National Security.
• How government laboratories, FFRDCs, and university research centers can serve as critical bridges between Emerging Technology, industry, acquisition programs, and the Warfighter.
• The barriers preventing promising Defense Technology from moving from prototypes to scalable capabilities—and why the Department is strong at prototyping but struggles with scaling.
• How lowering barriers to entry can create opportunities for startups, entrepreneurs, and non-traditional innovators to work with defense laboratories and bring new Defense Technology and Emerging Technology into the National Security ecosystem.
• The untapped value of government intellectual property, advanced facilities, and technical expertise—and how better access and collaboration could generate greater returns on those investments and strengthen National Security.
• Workforce challenges facing the defense laboratory enterprise and the need to create new opportunities for younger technical talent to contribute to the future of Defense Technology and National Security.
• Glassman's "sprint" approach to solving problems through rapid experimentation, learning by doing, and quickly deciding whether to kill, pivot, or scale an effort.
• How initiatives such as LabFinder could improve access to government laboratory facilities, lower barriers for industry, and provide better data on facility utilization, helping accelerate Emerging Technology and Defense Technology development.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org 

NDIA Emerging Technologies Conference: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org

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#Warfighter #EmergingTechnology #Departmentofdefense #DefenseTechnology #NationalSecurity

Modern warfare depends on the ability to rapidly integrate emerging technology, sensors, software, and autonomous systems into existing military platforms. Yet despite years of modernization efforts, systems integration and interoperability remain some of the Department of Defense's greatest challenges, slowing defense innovation and making it difficult to keep pace with rapidly evolving threats.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Dr. Arun Seraphin speaks with Travis Lambourne, Head of Sales at Skayl, about how new approaches to digital engineering and digital integration are helping the Defense Department modernize at the speed of need. They explore how reusable integration infrastructure, open architecture, and machine-readable data models can dramatically reduce integration timelines, lower costs, and enable warfighters to rapidly field new capabilities without relying on lengthy development cycles.

Key topics include:

• Why systems integration remains one of the biggest obstacles to defense modernization and defense innovation—and how it affects innovation across the Defense Industrial Base.
• How reusable integration technologies can reduce integration time by up to 85%, eliminate repetitive hand coding, and make upgrades faster and more predictable.
• How new sensors and emerging technology can be integrated in minutes instead of weeks, enabling technology insertion at the speed of operational need.
• Why interoperability, open standards, open architecture, and modular system architectures are essential for extending the lifespan of military platforms while accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies.
• The policy, acquisition, and budgeting reforms needed to make integration a "first-class citizen" across the Department of Defense and fully realize the promise of MOSA and modern digital engineering.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org 

NDIA Emerging Technologies Conference: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org 

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#MOSA #DefenseInnovation #DigitalEngineering #DefenseIndustrialBase #EmergingTechnology

Cybersecurity has become one of the most pressing challenges facing the Defense Industrial Base. As advanced cyber threats, next-generation technologies, and evolving digital warfare reshape the security landscape, organizations must move beyond traditional approaches and adopt new strategies to protect critical defense technologies, critical infrastructure, and supply chains.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Dr. Arun Seraphin speaks with Vince Crisler, Chief Information Security Officer at Celerium, about the future of defense cybersecurity. They discuss how emerging cyber capabilities are changing both offensive and defensive operations, why community-based defense is emerging as a powerful model for protecting the Defense Industrial Base, and how organizations can prepare for the next generation of cyber threats.

Key topics include:

• How machine-speed technologies are transforming cyber attacks and cyber defense, and why organizations must rethink cybersecurity at machine speed.
• Why community-based defense can help protect small and medium-sized defense contractors while strengthening the entire Defense Industrial Base.
• The cybersecurity implications of next-generation computing technologies and why organizations should begin preparing for post-quantum cryptography today.
• How automation and advanced analytics are reshaping the cybersecurity workforce by reducing repetitive work, improving threat analysis, and empowering professionals to focus on higher-value missions.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org

NDIA Emerging Technologies Conference: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org

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#Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #QuantumComputing #DefenseIndustrialBase #EmergingTechnology

The FY27 National Defense Authorization Act reaches far beyond acquisition reform. It also reflects how Congress is shaping the future of defense technology, emerging technology, supply chains, and the federal workforce responsible for delivering the next generation of national security capabilities.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Arun Seraphin continues his conversation with acquisition policy expert Moshe Schwartz, President of Etherton and Associates, for part two of a two-part discussion on the FY27 NDAA. Together, they examine how lawmakers are advancing defense technology, emerging technology, workforce modernization, and supply chains to strengthen the Defense Industrial Base and shape the future of U.S. national security.

Key topics include:

• How Congress is approaching robotics, autonomous systems, and other emerging technology priorities, and what new legislative language could mean for future defense technology capabilities.
• Supply chains and Defense Industrial Base provisions aimed at strengthening resilience, improving visibility, and reducing vulnerabilities across critical defense manufacturing networks.
• Quantum computing initiatives and how Congress is positioning the Department of Defense to maintain its defense technology advantage in a rapidly evolving field of emerging technology.
• Federal workforce reforms designed to improve talent recruitment, retention, and the government's ability to support acquisition reform while keeping pace with emerging technology innovation.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org 

NDIA Emerging Technologies Conference: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org 

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#DefenseInnovation #SupplyChains #EmergingTechnology #DefenseIndustrialBase #NationalSecurity

keywords:

-          Defense technology

-          Supply chains

-          Emerging technology

-          Acquisition reform

The fight over the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is about far more than acquisition policy. It is a debate about who controls intellectual property, how the Defense Industrial Base deploys capital, and whether the Department of Defense (DoD) can attract the commercial innovators driving defense innovation and emerging technology.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Arun Seraphin sits down with acquisition policy expert Moshe Schwartz, President of Etherton and Associates, to break down the most consequential Defense Industrial Base provisions moving through Congress in Part 1 of a two-part discussion on the NDAA 2027. As lawmakers continue pushing reforms aimed at accelerating defense innovation, strengthening national security, and expanding the Defense Industrial Base, many of the biggest questions center on implementation and unintended consequences.

Key topics include:

• Why Congress is pressuring the Department of Defense (DoD) to finally implement commercial acquisition reforms passed in previous NDAAs to accelerate defense innovation.
• New intellectual property provisions that could significantly expand government-purpose rights and reshape how commercial firms, startups, and subcontractors engage with the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Senate proposals restricting stock buybacks and dividends, and what they reveal about Congress's growing interest in shaping corporate investment decisions across the Defense Industrial Base.
• The rise of strategic capital, equity investments, adversarial capital oversight, and new institutions designed to strengthen national security by accelerating emerging technology adoption and economic competition in defense policymaking.

NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org 

NDIA Emerging Technologies Conference: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org 

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications covering all things emerging tech, visit: ndiaeti.org 

#DefenseInnovation #DoD #DefenseIndustrialBase #NationalSecurity #EmergingTech

Keywords:

- National Security

-          Defense innovation

-          Defense industrial base

-          Department of Defense (DoD)

-          Emerging technology

The Department of Defense (DoD) has spent decades building programs to attract innovative small businesses and accelerate emerging technology into the defense market. Yet according to former Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs Director Farooq Mitha, the department was still losing 3 to 5 percent of its small business Defense Industrial Base each year. The challenge facing defense innovation is no longer simply finding promising technologies. It's creating pathways that allow innovative companies to grow, compete, and remain part of the Defense Industrial Base.

In this episode, host Dr. Arun Seraphin sits down with Mitha, now CEO of the Imbue Group, to discuss the evolving role of small businesses in Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition, emerging technology, and innovation. Drawing on more than a decade of experience inside the Pentagon, Mitha reflects on efforts to expand small business participation, modernize programs such as Mentor-Protégé, and strengthen pathways for emerging companies to compete in the defense market while supporting the Defense Industrial Base.

Seraphin and Mitha also examine the growing role of venture capital in national security, emerging technology investment, and the Pentagon's efforts to connect private investment with defense priorities. As Mitha notes, "the government cannot out-invest the private sector," but attracting capital is only part of the challenge. The harder task is creating the demand signals, acquisition pathways, and growth opportunities that allow innovative firms to become enduring players in the Defense Industrial Base, strengthening the Department of Defense (DoD) innovation ecosystem and the broader defense market.

For updates on our content, sign up for our weekly mailer: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up

2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 9-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org

#DefenseInnovation #DefenseIndustrialBase #Departmentofdefense #DefenseMarket #EmergingTechnology 

Keywords:

-          Defense Industrial Base

-          Department of Defense (DOD)

-          Defense Market

-          Emerging Technology

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Dr. Arun Seraphin speaks with Bruce Friedrich, CEO and Co-founder of the Good Food Institute, about why alternative proteins and food biomanufacturing are emerging as strategic biotechnologyinnovations. As biotechnology reshapes industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to manufacturing, advances in cultivated meat, precision fermentation, and plant-based proteins could strengthen military logistics, improve supply chain resilience, and reinforce America's technological competitiveness through emerging technology.

The conversation explores how food biomanufacturing could reduce dependence on vulnerable supply chains by enabling deployable food production, from remote operating bases to submarines and even future space missions. Bruce also explains how these biotechnology innovations are progressing from scientific breakthroughs to scalable biomanufacturing, while highlighting the policy and investment challenges that remain.

The discussion also examines the growing international competition in biotechnology, particularly China's investments in food biomanufacturing, and why maintaining U.S. leadership in emerging technology will require sustained innovation, workforce development, commercialization support, and continued investment in biotechnology.

Read ETI’s Report "Food Biomanufacturing for National Security: Growing a New Segment of the U.S. Defense Industrial Base ": https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/-/media/ndia-eti/reports/food-biomanufacturing/eti_foodbiomanufacturing_report_final.pdf

Read Bruce Friedrich’s book, Meat: https://meatbook.org/ 

Learn more about the Good Food Institute: https://gfi.org/ 

For updates on our content, sign up for our weekly mailer: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technologies, visit ndiaeti.org.

#Biotechnology #NationalSecurity #Biomanufacturing #EmergingTech

Keywords:

-          Biotechnology

-          Biomanufacturing

-          Emerging Technology

Warfare is entering a new phase—where innovation happens in real time, and emerging technologies move from concept to deployment at unprecedented speed. At the 2026 Future Force Capabilities Conference, leaders across defense and industry explore what it takes to keep pace. Recorded live at the conference, Mary-Edens McAbee speaks with conference organizers and technology leaders working across munitions, autonomy, and manufacturing. She is joined by Nick Perry, Jeff Janey, Pete Paulin, Chris Millson, and John Williams to examine how emerging priorities are accelerating the development of next-generation capabilities while placing new demands on the industrial base, acquisition processes, and the workforce responsible for operating them. A central theme throughout the conversation is the growing importance of speed—not only in how technologies are developed, but in how quickly they can be produced, integrated, and put into use. Speakers return repeatedly to the idea that many of the necessary capabilities already exist, but the challenge now is scaling them effectively and getting them into the hands of operators. Drawing on observations from current conflicts, including Ukraine, the episode underscores how rapidly evolving operational environments are reshaping expectations for development timelines and feedback loops between operators and industry.

For updates on our content, sign up for our weekly mailer: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up

REGISTER: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org/

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#DefenseInnovation #IndustrialBase #Autonomy #FutureForce #DefenseTech

Private capital is playing an increasingly visible role in the defense industrial base, but its impact depends less on the amount of money flowing in than on how effectively government demand shapes investment decisions. The central question for policymakers is not whether capital is available, but whether the system converts that capital into deployable capability. 

In this episode, host Dr. Arun Seraphin is joined by Sam Moyer, Research Fellow at NDIA’s Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI), to discuss ETI’s recent work on mobilizing private capital for defense. The conversation examines how different forms of private capital, including venture, private equity, and internal investment, interact with the Department of Defense acquisition system, and why investors ultimately respond to credible signals of future demand. 

Moyer outlines a framework for understanding what drives investment into the defense sector: demand signaling, catalytic capital tools, and the broader business environment. He explains how mechanisms such as acquisition roadmaps, long-term purchase commitments, and communication between government and industry can reduce uncertainty and lower the cost of capital. The discussion also addresses newer policy tools, including federal equity investments and loan programs, and the governance and oversight challenges they introduce. 

The episode highlights a key constraint on defense innovation: investment is already present, but its effectiveness depends on whether the system is legible and predictable to investors. Improving clarity and alignment, not simply increasing funding, will shape the next phase of growth in the defense industrial base. 

 
Read ETI’s White Paper " Mobilizing Private Capital for Defense: Tactics and Recommendations": https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/-/media/ndia-eti/reports/mobilizing-capital-for-defense/mobilizingcapitalreport_2026_final.pdf.   
 

For updates on our content, sign up for our weekly mailer: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up 

2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition 
September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org/  

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more: 
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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/  

#DefenseInnovation #PrivateCapital #Acquisition #NationalSecurity 

You can detect radiation in seconds. Understanding what it does to the human body can take far longer. This gap defines a leading challenge of radiation biology, the field that studies how radiation interacts with living systems. 

In this episode, Dr. Marc Mendonca, Associate Vice President of Research at the University of Central Florida, joins host Dr. Arun Seraphin to discuss what problems radiobiologists are attempting to solve, and how these problems shape the realities of warfighters, first responders, cancer patients, astronauts, and civilians. The conversation highlights persistent limits in assessing how much radiation an individual has actually absorbed, how their body will respond, and why so many sectors rely on better understanding these effects. It also examines the operational strain created by the “walking well” in mass exposure scenarios.

Mendonca outlines key research gaps in the field, including radiation’s influence on the immune system, the mechanisms behind radiation-induced cancer, the need for effective post-exposure mitigation, and the development of faster, field-ready diagnostic tools. 

Watch ETI’s “Tech 101: Radiation Biology” seminar: https://www.ndia.org/events/2026/5/19/tech-101-radiation-biology  

For updates on our content, sign up for our weekly mailer: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up 2026

NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org 

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org 

#RadiationBiology #EmergingTech #PublicHealth #EmergencyResponse 

Two of WHOOP's first 100 paying customers were LeBron James and Michael Phelps. The device built to optimize elite athletic performance is now finding a second calling in national security — and the story of how it got there says as much about military institutions as it does about the technology. Todd Stiefler, VP of Enterprise and Public Sector at WHOOP, joins Dr. Arun Seraphin at Emerging Tech Horizons to explain how a consumer fitness wearable became a force readiness tool, and what's still standing in the way of adoption at scale. 

Learn more about WHOOP here: https://www.whoop.com/us/en/

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1 

#ETI #EmergingTech #WearableTech 

Hackathons are becoming an increasingly important tool in the defense innovation ecosystem. When designed intentionally, hackathons can work for everyone involved in defense innovation. In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, Dr. Arun Seraphin is joined by Nick Lanham, Chair of NDIA’s Data Analytics and Enterprise Platforms Division and Senior Data & AI Analyst at Kairos, and Charles Ott, Vice President and Solution Strategist at Maximus, to discuss NDIA’s hackathon model and what makes it effective.

The conversation offers a practical look at how this hackathon works: bringing together technologists, industry leaders, and government users for a focused, time‑boxed effort to tackle real defense problems. Rather than operating as a competition or a coding exercise, the hackathon is designed as a collaborative learning environment—one where participants share knowledge, test ideas, and better understand both user needs and institutional constraints. Lanham and Ott explain why this approach benefits everyone involved. Across the board, participants leave with a clearer picture of the problem space and stronger connections across the defense innovation community.

The episode looks back at NDIA’s inaugural hackathon, highlights what worked, and previews what’s planned for the upcoming event at the Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference. More broadly, it explains why thoughtfully designed hackathons are emerging as a valuable complement to traditional acquisition and innovation processes.

Learn more and get involved with this year’s NDIA Hackathon: https://hackathon.ndia.org/browse?status=upcoming

Read ETI’s brief on Hackathons as a defense acquisition tool: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/brief-series/competing-for-capability

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:

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Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org

#DefenseHackathon #DefenseInnovation #EmergingTechnologies #NationalSecurity

After more than four years of conflict, the war in Ukraine has produced an unprecedented body of data on rapid innovation, emerging technology, and the evolving role of drone warfare and unmanned systems on the modern battlefield. The pressing question for U.S. defense planners is which of those lessons can be translated to the U.S. way of war, and which, if applied too directly, risk misdirecting future force development.

In this episode, host Dr. Arun Seraphin is joined by Anna Kim, Associate Research Fellow at the Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI), and Matt Dooley, President and CEO of Fidelium and Chair of the NDIA Robotics Division, to discuss their ETI white paper, "Beyond Attrition: Interpreting the Limits of Lessons from Ukraine for Future US Force Development." The paper examines what full integration of drone technologies, autonomous systems, and emerging military technologies into the U.S. Joint Force would actually require.

The conversation explores why Ukraine's battlefield innovation and drone-driven "iteration under fire" model cannot be copied wholesale into the U.S. statutory and industrial environment, the enduring importance of combined arms warfare, and why the future force depends on integrating attritable unmanned systems with legacy maneuver platforms rather than choosing between them. Kim and Dooley also discuss the Army's Transformation in Contact (TiC) and Human Machine Integrated Formation (HMIF) initiatives, Project Convergence, and the Pentagon's Drone Dominance program, along with the production, sustainment, and training challenges of fielding robotic, autonomous, and emerging technology-enabled warfare capabilities at the scale a future fight will demand.

Read ETI’s White Paper "Beyond Attrition: Interpreting the Limits of Lessons from Ukraine for Future US Force Development": https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/brief-series/beyond-attrition

Learn more about NDIA's Robotics Division: https://www.ndia.org/divisions/robotics

For updates on our content, sign up for our weekly mailer: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up

SAVE THE DATE:

2026 NDIA Future Force Capabilities Conference & Exhibition, June 8–10, 2026, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV — where Anna and Matt will continue the conversation: https://ndiaffc.org

2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition

September 9-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org

Military bases are no longer guaranteed sanctuaries. As cyberattacks, drones, long-range missiles, and space-based threats expand the battlefield, U.S. installations must be treated as operational assets, not just support infrastructure. In this episode, Brian Stites, ETI Visiting Fellow and Chair of NDIA’s Cyber Warfare Division, speaks with Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, USAF (Ret.), Executive Vice President and COO of National Defense Industrial Association, and Daryl Haegley, Technical Director for Control Systems Cyber Resiliency for the Department of the Air Force, about what it means to “fight the base.” 

The conversation examines how military infrastructure is moving beyond static compliance and audit reporting toward real-time resilience, operational readiness, and validated assessment under duress. The discussion also explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technology can help identify vulnerabilities, support resilience planning, and improve decision-making for installation commanders facing increasingly complex threats. Additionally, the episode highlights why vendors, operators, engineers, and cyber professionals must work together to maintain mission readiness when critical infrastructure is degraded. 

Read ETI’s related White Paper “FIGHT THE BASE: UNIFIED CONSTRUCT FOR USAF INSTALLATIONS AS FORWARD OPERATING WEAPONS PLATFORMS”:  https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/brief-series/fight-the-base 

For updates on our content, sign up for our weekly mailer: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up 

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org 

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more: 

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org 

#EmergingTech #CyberResilience #CyberAttacks #CriticalInfrastructure #DefenseInnovation

The Department of War manages trillions of dollars in capabilities through an acquisition system that has not kept pace with the technologies it is meant to deliver. As readiness rates decline and supply chains grow more contested, modernizing how the defense enterprise uses data has become a national security imperative, and AI-enabled software is at the center of that effort. 
 
In this episode, host Dr. Arun Seraphin sits down with Dr. Jen Gebhardt, Director of Research at Govini, to discuss how AI and advanced data analysis are transforming defense acquisition, sustainment, and contested logistics. Drawing on Govini's work with Project Convergence and Air Force sustainment programs, Gebhardt explains how the shift from a reactive to a proactive supply chain can compress resupply planning into under an hour and connect the factory to the fight in near real time. 
 
The conversation also covers sub-tier supply chain visibility and the "illusion of diversity" in critical industrial bases like solid rocket motors, the role of AI in identifying financial fragility and foreign ownership risks, and how government access to technical data correlates directly with readiness. Gebhardt also previews her upcoming paper "Sustaining the Fight," to be presented at the Naval Postgraduate School's Acquisition Research Symposium. 
 
Learn more about Govini: https://www.govini.com/

Read Govini's related framework piece, "From Factory to Fight: A Modern Framework for Defense Logistics": https://www.govini.com/blog/from-factory-to-fight-a-modern-framework-for-defense-logistics

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more: LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0 Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3 Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8

And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org 

 
#EmergingTech #ArtificialIntelligence #DefenseAcquisition #SupplyChains #NationalSecurity 
 

Start in Elementary School: Building America’s National Security STEM Pipeline YouTube Description: America’s next generation of emerging technology will not be built without the workforce to design, manufacture, operate, and sustain it. Jeremy Anderson, CEO of the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), argues that K–12 STEM education is a national security priority, and the pipeline has to begin long before college or career decisions.

Anderson explains NMSI’s “train the trainers” model, which equips teachers, school leaders, counselors, and media specialists to help students build confidence, rigor, and a stronger STEM identity. According to Anderson, students who have at least one NMSI-trained teacher are far more likely to pursue a STEM degree or credential in fields tied to emerging technology and innovation. Industry cannot rely only on late-stage internships or higher education programs. Companies can help grow the future workforce by supporting teacher externships, connecting classrooms to real jobs, and investing earlier in tomorrow’s STEM talent to strengthen America’s national security and leadership in emerging technology.

National Math & Science Initiative https://www.nms.org/

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, inside scoops, & more:

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1

 #emergingtech #STEM #NationalSecurity

As Emerging Technology continues to accelerate across domains like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biotechnology, & Brain-computer interfaces coverage, humanity may be approaching a threshold that fundamentally redefines what it means to wage war – and what it means to be human.

In this episode, host Dr. Arun Seraphin is joined by Dr. Daniel Gerstein, adjunct professor at American University and George Mason University, to discuss Dr. Gerstein's upcoming novel, War Without Humanity: Conflict in the Post-Human Era. Drawing on his extensive background in National Security and Homeland Security, Dr. Gerstein explores a near-future world in which humans, augmented soldiers, and AI-enabled humanoid robots operate side by side on the battlefield – a force he calls the Future Force.

The conversation covers the Emerging Technology capabilities at the heart of this transformation and what these developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biotechnology mean for ethical military doctrine, arms control, and international law in an evolving National Security landscape.

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1

#EmergingTech #AI #BioTechnology #FutureForce

Keywords:

-            Emerging Technology

-            Artificial Intelligence (AI)

-            Biotechnology

-            National Security

-            Homeland Security

-            Future Force

The Department of War (DoW) is moving faster than ever—embracing commercial technology, autonomous systems, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled capabilities. But this acceleration raises a critical question: what happens to the human in the loop?

Recorded at the NDIA Human Systems Conference, Arun Seraphin speaks with four leaders working at the intersection of technology, personnel, and defense innovation: Dr. Eric Sikorski, Stuart Michelson, Jenn McNamara, and Jesse Flint.

Together, they examine how evolving priorities within the Department of War (DoW) are accelerating adoption of autonomous systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI), while placing new demands on the workforce responsible for operating them. The discussion reveals that rapid defense innovation often outpaces workforce readiness and can create challenges in training, integration, and scalability.

This episode highlights how NDIA members across industry, academia, and government are advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and human performance strategies to ensure the Department of Defense (DoD) workforce can effectively support next-generation missions at speed.

See here for more information on NDIA's Human Systems Division: https://www.ndia.org/divisions/human-systems

For updates on our content, sign up for our weekly mailer: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org

#EmergingTechnologies #DefenseInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #DefenseAcquisition

Keywords:

-            Defense innovation

-            autonomous systems

-            Artificial intelligence (AI)

-            Department of Defense (DoD)

For decades, the U.S. government has tested weapons systems before deployment, but not the policies that govern them. That gap is starting to close through artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced modeling techniques.

In this episode, Dr. Arun Seraphin sits down with Dr. David Metcalf and Dr. Doug Buettner to explore how AI, multi-agent systems, and simulation technologies are transforming how defense policy can be designed, tested, and implemented. What emerges is a new paradigm: policy that can be modeled and refined before it ever reaches the real world.

The conversation explores how AI-powered multi-agent systems can simulate complex environments with multiple stakeholders, enabling policymakers to run thousands of “what if” scenarios in real time. As these systems scale, questions of bias, validation, and trust become central to whether artificial intelligence-driven insights can inform high-stakes decisions.

Looking ahead, the challenge is no longer technical feasibility—it is whether institutions can adopt AI and multi-agent systems, build the right validation frameworks, and ensure that AI-driven policy decision-making remains accountable.

NDIA ETI Brief -- “Using Data for Defense: Integrating Modeling & Simulation for Policymaking”: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/brief-series/policy-and-modeling 

 NDIA ETI Brief -- “Using Data for Defense: Integrating Modeling & Simulation for Policymaking”: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/brief-series/policy-and-modeling

Navigating Uncertainty: Simulation as a Tool for Policy Innovation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbyieMb9SRU

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 8-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:   

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org 

#EmergingTech #ArtificialIntelligence #PublicPolicy #DefenseInnovation

Over the past decade, microelectronics and semiconductors have become a cornerstone of U.S. national security and supply chain resilience, moving beyond a purely technical issue to a central focus of economic and defense policy in Washington. 

In this episode, host Dr. Arun Seraphin sits down with Grant Meyer, chair of the National Defense Industrial Association Electronics Division, to discuss the evolving role of the electronics industrial base in supporting U.S. defense capabilities and securing critical supply chains. 

The conversation explores how rising geopolitical competition and legislation such as the CHIPS and Science Act have accelerated federal attention on semiconductor manufacturing, microelectronics innovation, and resilient supply chains. Seraphin and Meyer also dive into the challenges of building a coherent national electronics strategy, including fragmented priorities across the industrial base and commercial technology sector, and the difficulty of aligning long-term defense acquisition timelines with fast-moving commercial cycles. 

Meyer draws on his extensive experience in defense electronics to explain why microelectronics and semiconductors are foundational to modern military systems and national security infrastructure. 

Check out Meyer’s NDIA division here: https://www.ndia.org/divisions/electronics 

NDIA ETI Report – “Modernizing Defense Microelectronics: Challenges and Opportunities”: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/research-papers/modernizing-defense-microelectronics 

ETH Podcast on Report: 

https://www.youtube.com/@EmergingTechETI/search?query=electronics 

ETH Podcast CHIPS Act and Microelectronics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36rGE0yjw1Y&t=5s 

Tech 101 Webinar: Microelectronics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6sxrq3PiwI&list=PL5oQnv75FK5bwT5tk6qgPa3FhLWm1vgAv&index=37&t=3066s&pp=iAQB 

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:  

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And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org 

#ETI #EmergingTech #SupplyChains #Microelectronics #Semiconductors 

Microelectronics and semiconductor technologies are no longer commodities—they are central to national security and defense innovation. James Chew, President and General Manager of Government Technologies at Intel, explains why this shift is redefining how the semiconductor industry supports defense platforms. 

Chew joins Dr. Arun Seraphin to explore how microelectronics has evolved from interchangeable components to mission-critical systems, driving a fundamental change in procurement and supply chain strategy. He highlights how past commercial off-the-shelf reforms created sustainment gaps as suppliers exited the market, leaving critical defense systems waiting on parts. 

The discussion also examines Intel’s Secure Enclave, designed to provide reliable access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing through dedicated capacity at its Arizona facility. Chew further outlines how government investment can strengthen the microelectronics and semiconductor industrial base, align long-term priorities, and enable Intel to operate more like a defense prime contractor in an increasingly competitive global landscape. 

NDIA ETI Report – “Modernizing Defense Microelectronics: Challenges and Opportunities”: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/research-papers/modernizing-defense-microelectronics 

ETH Podcast on Report: 

https://www.youtube.com/@EmergingTechETI/search?query=electronics 

ETH Podcast CHIPS Act and Microelectronics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36rGE0yjw1Y&t=5s 

Tech 101 Webinar: Microelectronics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6sxrq3PiwI&list=PL5oQnv75FK5bwT5tk6qgPa3FhLWm1vgAv&index=37&t=3066s&pp=iAQBe sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more:  

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 #ETI #EmergingTech #Microelectronics #Semiconductor 

Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Kate Käufer, President & Founder of KMK Global Strategies, LLC, to break down how the DoD, Congress, and industry are navigating the FY26 Appropriations Act. The discussion highlights key budget timelines, the evolving role of the Defense Industrial Base, and emerging priorities including munitions production and the Golden Dome. Kate shares insights on interpreting appropriations signals, understanding DoD priorities, and how companies can stay proactive through stronger communication and collaboration across the defense ecosystem.

KMK Strategies: https://kmm-strategies.com/

Explore the 2026 DoD Appropriations Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4016

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 9-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

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#EmergingTechETI #DoD #DefenseIndustrialBase #Munitions #GoldDome

The U.S. military has spent decades optimizing platforms while largely underinvesting in the system that actually operates them: the warfighter. As body-worn technologies mature, that imbalance is becoming harder to justify.

In this episode, Sonya Rahmani, Warfighter Performance Lead at Booz Allen, joins Dr. Arun Seraphin to argue that the future of military advantage lies in treating the warfighter as an integrated system—one that spans cognitive, physiological, and tactical domains. The challenge is no longer collecting data but transforming it into actionable insights using Defense AI Technology.

The conversation explores why the real bottlenecks are not just in AI or sensing, but in power management, system integration, and cybersecurity. Warfighters cannot manage fragmented devices, incompatible batteries, or constant data streams. The burden must shift from the individual to the system—through automation, edge computing, and intelligent filtering powered by Defense AI Technology.

Rahmani also explains why commercial wearable technologies, while essential, are insufficient on their own. Devices built for connected, civilian environments must be fundamentally reengineered for disconnected operations, cybersecurity risks, and mission-specific demands in modern defense environments. Learn more about Booz Allen’s Defense Technology: https://www.boozallen.com/defense

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition September 9-10, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington DC Convention Center: ndiatechexpo.org/

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Over 3,000 troops and contractors experienced some form of casualty moving fuel to U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. That history explains why military energy thinking has defaulted to fuel logistics for two decades — and why a more serious vulnerability has gone largely unexamined. Today, the U.S. power grid is emerging as a critical infrastructure risk with direct implications for national security. Will Rogers, Principal at Converge Strategies and co-author of Powering the Fight: Lessons from the Grid at War, joins Dr. Arun Seraphin to discuss the military’s growing dependence on the power grid.

The conversation highlights the historical evolution of this dependency, noting that modern military operations rely heavily on a globally networked defense footprint tied to critical infrastructure systems. Rogers advocates for public-private cooperation to strengthen the power grid and address national security vulnerabilities under increasing stress.

Read Converge Strategies’ article here: https://convergestrategies.com/powering-the-fight-lessons-from-the-grid-at-war-converge-strategies/

Get in contact with Will Rogers and the team at Converge Strategies:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-rogers-66360414/

Email: wrogers@convergestrategies.com

Website: https://convergestrategies.com/

#EmergingTech #PowerGrid #CriticalInfrastracture #NationalSecurity Keywords: - Power grid - Critical Infrastructure - National Security

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Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Dr. Reed Skaggs of Lewis-Burke Associates examining how the Pentagon’s new innovation memo is reshaping the Defense Technology ecosystem. The discussion focuses on the memo’s emphasis on accelerating speed to Capability, strengthening the STEM-focused innovation workforce, and clarifying how service laboratories and research organizations support Emerging Technology development within the defense technology pipeline. Dr. Skaggs also highlights the growing importance of developing K–12 STEM capacity as a foundational national security issue, given current education gaps impacting the future Defense Technology workforce.
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#Defense Technology #STEM #EmergingTech #EmergingTechETI

Join Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Dr. Sridhar Kota and Hal Chrisman of FlexSys exploring how adaptive morphing control surfaces are transforming aerodynamics across the aerospace industry and defense industry. The discussion centers on this engineering breakthrough and its potential to reshape future DoD platforms and missions. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, Dr. Kota and Chrisman explain how this adaptive technology can improve lift-to-drag ratios, reduce fuel consumption and noise, and eliminate the need for conventional flaps in next-generation aircraft designs.

 This conversation examines how morphing aerodynamics technologies could transform DoD mission requirements, from enabling shorter takeoff and landing distances to improving climb gradients and reducing fleet size requirements. In addition to the operational benefits for the Department of Defense (DoD), Dr. Kota and Chrisman explore key technology transition challenges facing the defense industry, including certification, integration, and scalability. The conversation concludes with a forward-looking vision for making morphing control surfaces an industry standard, along with practical guidance for OEMs and DoD partners interested in adopting this advanced aerodynamics technology.

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Another cycle of NDAA-driven Acquisition Reform has concluded, beginning with the introduction of the FoRGED Act and SPEED Act and culminating in the enactment of the FY26 NDAA. Join Dr. Arun Seraphin and Moshe Schwartz for a detailed discussion of NDAA acquisition reforms and why this legislation could represent one of the most significant defense acquisition reform packages in decades. Drawing on Moshe’s deep defense acquisition expertise, the conversation breaks down what changes to acquisition policy were enacted, what did not make it into law, and how Congress and the Department of Defense are aligned on implementation.The discussion examines major acquisition changes introduced in the FY26 NDAA, including expanded acquisition authorities, best-value decision-making, commercial-first acquisition preferences, and new roles and responsibilities across the defense acquisition workforce. Moshe and Arun analyze the potential impact of these reforms on defense contractors, including nontraditional defense contractors, with a close look at implications for intellectual property rights, consumption-based acquisition models, sustainment strategies, and the elevated roles of portfolio acquisition executives and product support managers within the Department of Defense.

Etherton and Associates: https://www.ethertonandassociates.com/

ETI's Insights into FY26 NDAA: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/insights/fy2025ndaa

FY26 NDAA: https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/s1071/BILLS-119s1071enr.pdf

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, inside scoops, & more:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1

Join Dr. Arun Seraphin and Dr. Jae Yu for a conversation that explores new data on Pentagon senior civilian leadership, illuminating the backgrounds of individuals serving in STEM leadership roles focused on Emerging Technologies. This discussion draws on the NDIA ETI report published by Dr. Yu, “Mapping Government Officials in Emerging Technologies Roles,” which examines how STEM education and prior STEM experience shape career pathways within the Pentagon.The report and conversation analyze leadership backgrounds across the 14 critical technology areas identified by the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), highlighting where STEM expertise is concentrated and where gaps remain in the Pentagon’s Emerging Technologies workforce. The discussion concludes with data-driven recommendations to strengthen the Pentagon’s senior civilian STEM workforce.

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#EmergingTech #EmergingTechETI #USDR&E #Pentagon #STEM

In part two of this conversation, Dr. Arun Seraphin is joined again by HON. David Berteau to examine how Defense Acquisition and Acquisition Reform in the Defense Industry evolved after the end of the Cold War. Berteau reflects on why Defense Acquisition Reform has remained a persistent challenge and highlights the need for a balanced approach that weighs both mission success and financial outcomes across the Defense Industry.

The conversation explores how Defense Acquisition challenges unfolded over time, beginning with post–Cold War budget drawdowns that accelerated consolidation within the Defense Industry. It then examines the 1990s rise of commercial technology, driven in part by new legislation such as the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) and the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

David and Arun connect these Acquisition Reform efforts of the 1990s to today’s challenges by discussing how the Defense Industry can integrate commercial technology at speed, better align requirements with budgets and programs, and navigate Congress’s evolving role in Defense Acquisition. The discussion offers insight into what effective Defense Acquisition Reform could look like today amid near-peer competition and rapid technological change.

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#EmergingTech #EmergingTechETI #DefenseAcquisition #AcquisitionReform #FARA #FASA

Join Dr. Arun Seraphin and David Berteau for a conversation exploring the common threads across major defense acquisition reform efforts since the 1980s. Drawing on decades of experience in both the public and private sectors, David offers a historical perspective on how shifting geopolitical threats have driven repeated efforts to reform the Department of Defense’s acquisition system.

The discussion centers on the Carlucci Initiatives, which was a set of recommendations aimed at reducing costs, shortening acquisition timelines, and improving industry-DoD collaboration. Arun and David compare these initiatives with other major reform efforts, including the Packard Commission and the Goldwater-Nichols Act. David also reflects on his time as Executive Secretary of the Packard Commission, sharing firsthand insights into the challenges that led to its formation and the impact of its recommendations.

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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 teaming, and wearable sensors are being evaluated for real operational impact, as well as how the Next Big Things Initiative identifies technologies on the horizon. Bob also reflects on the barriers to adoption within defense, the importance of aligning innovation with warfighter needs, and the role I/ITSEC plays in bringing industry, government, and academia together to accelerate next-generation training and simulation capabilities.

Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, inside scoops, & more:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1

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 recommendations to strengthen America’s competitive edge through public-private partnerships, increased investment in foundational research, and targeted initiatives such as a “Quantum First 2030” effort. The discussion also explores the challenges of scaling innovation in the United States, addressing workforce needs, and balancing openness with research security at American universities, offering a clear-eyed look at the policy choices shaping the future of emerging technology competition.

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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 for institutions collaborating with hostile foreign entities and required extensive researcher disclosures.

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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 outcomes. Bess and Andy share firsthand insights from the Pentagon, Congress, and industry, illustrating the challenges of following the flow of money, ensuring transparency, and maintaining flexibility in budgeting and acquisition processes. The dialogue explores the tension between fiscal oversight and speed of technology development, highlighting opportunities for reform, improved data sharing, and innovative tools to help government and industry collaborate more effectively in advancing national defense technology.

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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 break down the complex challenges of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing hostile drones. The discussion emphasizes the roles of artificial intelligence, sensor integration, SUADS capabilities, and innovative tools such as the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) in addressing today’s dynamic technological battlespace.Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, inside scoops, & more:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications all things emerging tech, check out our website at: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1

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 in potential near-peer conflict scenarios. The discussion also explores how these efforts fit within the Pentagon’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control Strategy (CJADC2/C2).

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