Episodes

  • Beast in the Machine: The Future of AI and Robotics in War
    Aug 20 2025

    Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Dr. George Dougherty, who is a retired Air Force Colonel with deep experience in the Air Force Science & Technology Enterprise. In this episode, Dr. Dougherty discusses his forthcoming book Beast in the Machine: How Robotics and AI Will Transform Warfare and the Future of Human Conflict. This episode provides a preview of the book's central themes and a discussion about the future of robotic warfare and AI-enabled systems. Additionally, we go over some interesting stories from past uses of robotic warfare and the lessons learned from those examples.


    To learn more about Dr. Dougherty’s book Beast in the Machine, visit: https://www.georgemdougherty.com/beast-in-the-machine.


    If you are interested in joining Dr. Dougherty at his author talk on August 26th, you can learn more and sign up at https://kramers.com/events/2837320250826.


    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 live at ⁠https://www.ndiatechexpo.org⁠.


    This year, we will be joined by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady, Commander of U.S European Command General Alex Grynkewich, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, USD for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey as some of our government keynote speakers. The conference will also feature numerous breakout panels, government-industry speed dating, networking receptions, classified programming, and a multi-day Hackathon.


    Be sure to like and subscribe to stay up to date. Thank you for listening to another episode of Emerging Tech Horizons.


    To receive updates about the conference please join our mailing list here: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-uphttp://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.orghttps://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETIhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institutehttps://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

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    54 mins
  • Fostering Defense-Tech Innovation Across the NATO Alliance
    Aug 13 2025

    Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Mr. Tom McSorley, General Counsel the NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, or DIANA. In this episode, Mr. McSorley discuss the role NATO DIANA plays in supporting the development of critical emerging technologies for defense and security across all 32 NATO-member nations. Additionally, Mr. McSorley previews the role DIANA will play at this year’s NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition. This episode provides a deep dive into NATO DIANA’s mission and how they practically accelerate the development of critical defense technologies to aid the warfighter.

    To learn more about NATO DIANA and potentially get involved in their work, please visit: https://www.diana.nato.int/

    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 live at ⁠https://www.ndiatechexpo.org⁠.

    This year, we will be joined by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady, Commander of U.S European Command General Alex Grynkewich, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, USD for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey as some of our government keynote speakers. The conference will also feature numerous breakout panels, government-industry speed dating, networking receptions, classified programming, and a multi-day Hackathon.

    To register for the Global Defense Hackathon, please visit: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org/hackathon Be sure to like and subscribe to stay up to date.

    Thank you for listening to another episode of Emerging Tech Horizons.

    To receive updates about the conference please join our mailing list here: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-uphttp://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.orghttps://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETIhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institutehttps://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

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    52 mins
  • DOD-Industry Collaboration in Science & Engineering Technology
    Aug 7 2025

    Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Dr. Reed Skaggs, Chief Strategy and Business Operations Officer at Lewis-Burke Associates, and Jennifer Walsh, Director of Divisions at the National Defense Industrial Association – NDIA. In this episode, Dr. Skaggs and Ms. Walsh discuss the upcoming NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition and the role the Science and Engineering Technology Division will be playing. This episode provides a deep dive into the S&ET Division’s programming and other initiatives. Finally, we go over S&ET’s efforts to support the integration of Artificial Intelligence across the Pentagon to support warfighter needs. To learn more and join one of NDIA’s 28 divisions, please visit: https://www.ndia.org/divisions/about-divisions

    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 live at ⁠https://www.ndiatechexpo.org⁠.

    This year, we will be joined by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady, Commander of U.S European Command General Alex Grynkewich, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, USD for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey as some of our government keynote speakers. The conference will also feature numerous breakout panels, government-industry speed dating, networking sessions, and a multi-day Hackathon.

    To register for the multi-day Global Defense Hackathon, please visit: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org/hackathon.

    ⁠https://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETI⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institute https://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

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    45 mins
  • Does the DOD need Warfighter-Portable Drones in the Indo-Pacific?
    Jul 24 2025

    Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Dr. David Bray, Director of the Loomis Accelerator Program and Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, and Jeffrey Wright, recently retired Special Operations Officer and Founder of SplashOne Robotics. In this episode, Dr. Bray and Mr. Wright discuss whether the DOD needs to develop and deploy warfighter-portable small unmanned aerial systems in the Indo-Pacific, and potentially other theaters. Additionally, we cover the current barriers to implementing small-UAS in the Indo-Pacific region and what changes need to be made to DOD acquisition processes and culture to better prepare for future conflicts.

    To view Dr. David Bray’s full report, “Strategic Sufficiency: Mapping DOD Small Drone Requirements to Potential Warfighter Needs in the Indo-Pacific", click here: https://oodaloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Strategic-Sufficiency_-Mapping-DoD-Small-Drone-Requirements-to-Potential-Warfighter-Needs-in-the-Indo-Pacific.pdf

    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.

    To register for the multi-day Hackathon, please visit: https://hackathon.ndia.org/?_gl=1*1ux9nxs*_ga*NzIzODIyMDUuMTc0OTc1MDI2Nw..*_ga_Z4X7EV9BT1*czE3NTMzMDM5MzIkbzIyJGcxJHQxNzUzMzAzOTM2JGo1NiRsMCRoMA..

    Be sure to like and subscribe to stay up to date. Thank you for listening to another episode of Emerging Tech Horizons.

    ⁠https://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org⁠

    ⁠https://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETI⁠

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institute https://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • How DIU is using AI to Connect Commercial Innovation to the Warfighter
    Jul 2 2025

    Join 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.

    Be sure to like and subscribe to stay up to date. Thank you for listening to another episode of Emerging Tech Horizons.

    http://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org

    https://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETI

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institute

    https://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

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    43 mins
  • Lessons Learned from DOD IT-Acquisition Failures
    Jun 25 2025

    In this episode, we are joined by John Weiler, CEO of the IT-Acquisition Advisory Council, to discuss the past, present, and future of DOD IT acquisitions. We discuss the past failures of DOD IT-acquisition programs and how the Pentagon can learn from those mistakes. Additionally, Mr. Weiler details the best commercial practices the Department of Defense should adopt to successfully procure and deploy the best software for their mission.


    Executive Order 14222 - Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency“ Cost Efficiency Initiative: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency-cost-efficiency-initiative/


    DOD Memo on Implementation of Executive Order 14222 - Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative: https://media.defense.gov/2025/May/28/2003725174/-1/-1/1/MEMORANDUM-DIRECTING-IMPLEMENTATION-OF-EXECUTIVE-ORDER-14222-DEPARTMENT-OF-GOVERNMENT-EFFICIENCY-COST-EFFICIENCY-INITIATIVE.PDF


    Visit the IT-AAC's website at: https://it-aac.org/


    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.


    https://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org

    https://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETI

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institute https://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

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    41 mins
  • Supporting the Defense Acquisition Workforce with AI
    Jun 11 2025

    In May 2025, the Emerging Technologies Institute and MITRE Corporation released a report that explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve the Department of Defense’s acquisition system and support its workforce. Several of the authors, including Adam Bouffard (Group Leader and Principal Decision Analyst at MITRE), Chris Barlow (Senior Acquisition Analyst), and Wilson Miles (Associate Research Fellow at ETI) joined the podcast to discuss both the opportunities of inserting AI into the acquisition lifecycle and barriers to implementation. Additionally, the guests describe several potential paths forward to accelerate the adoption of AI for acquisition needs.

    Accelerating the Future: Leveraging AI for Transformative Federal Acquisition, https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/publications/research-papers/accelerating-the-future


    To receive updates about the NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition on August 27-29, 2025 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center, please join our mailing list here: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up or visit our website at: https://www.ndiatechexpo.org


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    https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institute https://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

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    38 mins
  • Building the Future of Maritime Mobility
    May 28 2025

    In this episode, we are joined by Tom Huntley, who is Vice President of Government Relations and Defense at REGENT, to discuss the future of advanced maritime mobility. We discuss the technological breakthroughs that have allowed for recent developments in Seagliders and the current state of play in the maritime industry. Additionally, Huntley lays out the potential commercial, homeland security, and defense missions that seagliders are well-suited for.

    For more information on REGENT, visit their website: https://www.regentcraft.com/

    To view the first flight of REGENT’s quarter-scale seaglider, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka1GpNGdjXM

    To receive updates about the NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition on August 27-29, 2025 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center, please join our mailing list here: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up

    http://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org

    https://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETI

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institute https://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

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    49 mins