Emerging Tech Horizons

Dr. Arun Seraphin

ETI provides research and analyses to inform the development and integration of emerging technologies into the defense industrial base. This podcast will feature topics and speakers focusing on emerging technologies.

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

Friday · 37 min
The Future of Defense Technology: Part 2 on NDAA 2027
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 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 covering all things emerging tech, visit: ndiaeti.org #DefenseInnovation #SupplyChains #EmergingTechnology #DefenseIndustrialBase #NationalSecurity keywords: - Defense technology - Supply chains - Emerging technology - Acquisition reform
Wednesday · 35 min
The Future of Defense Innovation and National Security: Part 1 on the NDAA 2027
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 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 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
July 22 · 37 min
From Startup to Defense Supplier: Building a Stronger Defense Industrial Base
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: LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0 Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3 Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 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
July 15 · 58 min
Could Biotechnology paired with Biomanufacturing Be the Next Emerging Technology for National Security?
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 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 on emerging technologies, visit ndiaeti.org. #Biotechnology #NationalSecurity #Biomanufacturing #EmergingTech Keywords: - Biotechnology - Biomanufacturing - Emerging Technology
July 8 · 52 min
Inside Future Force Capabilities 2026: Scaling Speed, Production, and the Next Generation Force
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/ Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, & more: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eti-emerging-technologies-institute Twitter: https://x.com/EmergingTechETI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETI/ And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/ #DefenseInnovation #IndustrialBase #Autonomy #FutureForce #DefenseTech
July 1 · 48 min
Mobilizing Private Capital on Aligning Private Investment with DoD Needs
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: LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0 Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3 Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/ #DefenseInnovation #PrivateCapital #Acquisition #NationalSecurity
June 24 · 51 min
From Detection to Decision: Dr. Marc Mendonca on Closing the Radiation Response Gap
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 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 on emerging technology, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org #RadiationBiology #EmergingTech #PublicHealth #EmergencyResponse
June 17 · 38 min
Wearables for Warfighters: How WHOOP is Powering Human Performance in National Security
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/ 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: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1 #ETI #EmergingTech #WearableTech
June 10 · 59 min
Inside NDIA’s Defense Hackathon: How Collaboration, Learning, and Rapid Problem Solving Come Together
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: 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 #DefenseHackathon #DefenseInnovation #EmergingTechnologies #NationalSecurity
June 3 · 43 min
Beyond Attrition: Integrating Drone and Unmanned Systems into the Future of U.S. Warfare
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: LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0 Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3 Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org
May 27 · 45 min
Fight the Base: Military Infrastructure Resilience Against Cyberattacks in a Contested Battlespace
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: LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4htROo0 Twitter: https://bit.ly/48LHAx3 Facebook: https://bit.ly/47vlht8 And for more podcasts, articles, & publications on emerging technology, check out our website at: ndiaeti.org #EmergingTech #CyberResilience #CyberAttacks #CriticalInfrastructure #DefenseInnovation
May 20 · 40 min
Connecting the Factory to the Fight: AI-Enabled Software and Proactive Defense Supply Chains
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
May 13 · 36 min
Start in Elementary School: Building America’s Defense STEM Pipeline
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: 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: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1 #emergingtech #STEM #NationalSecurity
May 6 · 42 min
Beyond the Battlefield: Emerging Technology, AI, and the Future Force of War
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: 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: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1 #EmergingTech #AI #BioTechnology #FutureForce Keywords: - Emerging Technology - Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Biotechnology - National Security - Homeland Security - Future Force
April 29 · 1 hr
Human Systems at the Speed of Acquisition: How Defense Innovation Is Reshaping the Workforce
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: 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 #EmergingTechnologies #DefenseInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #DefenseAcquisition Keywords: - Defense innovation - autonomous systems - Artificial intelligence (AI) - Department of Defense (DoD)
April 22 · 48 min
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Multi-Agent Systems in Defense Policy Modeling
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: 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 #PublicPolicy #DefenseInnovation
April 15 · 39 min
Microelectronics & Semiconductors: Strengthening Supply Chains for U.S. National Security
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: 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 #ETI #EmergingTech #SupplyChains #Microelectronics #Semiconductors
April 8 · 46 min
James Chew of Intel on How Commercial Microelectronics Can Reshape the Defense Industry
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: 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 #ETI #EmergingTech #Microelectronics #Semiconductor
April 1 · 51 min
Inside the New DoD Appropriations Reality: Defense Industrial Base, Munitions, and Golden Dome Signals
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/ 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: https://bit.ly/47oA5K1 #EmergingTechETI #DoD #DefenseIndustrialBase #Munitions #GoldDome
March 25 · 38 min
Optimizing the Warfighter: Can the Military Turn Data into Decisions at the Edge
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/ 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