CDAO Defense & Security 2026

Agenda | Day 1 Sept 22
Agenda | Day 2 Sept 23

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8:00 AM

Registration & Light Breakfast
8:55 AM

Chairperson's Opening Remarks
PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH: ADVANCING AI AND DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING
9:00 AM

Delivering Decision Advantage: Integrating Intelligence, Data, and AI Across the Joint Force

Brigadier General Shannon O’Harren - Deputy Director for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations - US JOINT STAFF
- The evolving role of ISR: enabling faster, more integrated decision-making across multi-domain operations
- Data as a strategic asset: connecting sensors, platforms, and analysts to deliver timely, actionable intelligence
- Scaling AI in intelligence operations: enhancing analysis, targeting, and situational awareness in contested environments
- Advancing joint integration: aligning capabilities, partners, and processes to support decision advantage at the operational level
9:30 AM

Building the Digital Warfighter Workforce: Cyber, AI, and Talent

Mark Gorak - Director of the Cyber Academic Engagement Office and Principal Director for Resources & Analysis, Office of the Chief Information Officer - US DEPARTMENT OF WAR
10:00 AM

Federal Leaders Panel Discussion: Advancing AI, Data, and Digital Transformation Across Government
- How are federal agencies operationalizing AI, advanced analytics, and data to support mission outcomes and improve decision-making across government?
- What progress has been made in building secure, interoperable data environments that enable collaboration across agencies, partners, and the defense enterprise?
- How are federal leaders addressing the challenges of scaling AI—from pilot projects to mission-ready capabilities—while maintaining security, governance, and trust?
- What role do partnerships with industry, academia, and allied nations play in accelerating innovation and strengthening the federal digital ecosystem?
- Looking ahead, what policy, acquisition, and workforce changes will be most critical to enabling government to harness emerging technologies at speed and scale?
10:45 AM

Networking Break
11:15AM

Scaling AI for Mission Impact: Delivering Data-Driven Capabilities Through the Maven Ecosystem

Rachael Martin - Maven Office Director - NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
- Operationalizing AI at scale: transitioning AI from pilot programs to mission-ready capabilities across NGA and the broader defense enterprise
- Building and managing data ecosystems: enabling secure, interoperable data access to support AI-driven geospatial intelligence
- Delivering decision advantage: leveraging AI-enabled GEOINT to enhance situational awareness and support real-time operational decisions
- Partnering for innovation: integrating industry, nontraditional vendors, and government capabilities to accelerate AI adoption and deployment
11:45AM

Integrating Data and AI into Next-Generation Airpower

Confirmed O-6/Col level Representative - - US AIR FORCE FUTURES
12:15 PM

Lunch & Networking Break
1:30PM

Validating AI for Warfighting: Test, Evaluation, and Modeling for Mission-Ready Capabilities

Dr. Subrata Sanyal - METCAL Chief Scientist - US NAVY
- Ensuring trust in AI: advancing test and evaluation frameworks to validate AI-enabled systems in operational environments
- Modeling and simulation at scale: leveraging digital environments to accelerate development, testing, and deployment of advanced capabilities
- Bridging experimentation and fielding: translating modeling, simulation, and test results into mission-ready systems
- Building confidence in autonomy: addressing verification, validation, and reliability challenges for AI and autonomous platforms
2:00PM

Human–AI Teaming in the Loop: Designing Intelligent Systems for Mission-Critical Decision-Making

Dr. Alvaro Velasquez - CEO, NSI, Assistant Professor - UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER
2:30PM

Operationalizing AI-Enabled Mission Command: Integrating C2 for the Future Battlefield

Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Bastian, Ph.D. - Deputy Director, Robotics Research Center - US ARMY
- Aligning mission command requirements with joint battle network initiatives and CJADC2 to enable faster, integrated decision-making across the Joint Force
- Integrating AI-enabled decision support and advanced analytics to enhance operational tempo, situational awareness, and command effectiveness
- Addressing interoperability, data standards, and resilient communications to ensure seamless information flow across domains and echelons
- Advancing human–machine teaming and building warfighter trust in AI-enabled systems operating at the tactical edge
3:15PM

COFFEE & NETWORKING
3:45 PM

Operational Lessons in AI, Cyber, and Data from the War in Ukraine

Iryna Kopanitsa - - UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES
4:15 PM

Fireside Chat: Insights from Russia’s Military Innovation

Samuel Bendett - Advisor, Russia Studies Program - CENTER FOR NAVAL ANALYSES
4:45 PM

Welcome Drinks Reception

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8:00 AM

Registration & Light Breakfast
8:55 AM

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
9:00 AM

Operationalizing AI for Cyber Defense: Building Mission-Ready Capabilities at Speed

Brigadier General Reid Novotny - Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer - US CYBER COMMAND
9:30 AM

Advancing Intelligent Systems for the Future Fight: From Research to Operational Capability

Dr. Rajneesh Singh - Associate Division Chief, Science of Intelligent Systems Division - US ARMY
10:00 AM

Industry Leaders Panel Discussion: Securing AI-Enabled Defense Systems and Digital Infrastructure

Colonel Kristin Saling - Director of Innovation, Army Talent Innovation Directorate - US ARMY
- How can industry support the Department of Defense in building resilient, cyber-secure digital architectures that enable AI-enabled operations and joint battle networks?
- What acquisition and partnership models are most effective for delivering cyber and AI capabilities to the warfighter at the speed of modern threats?
- How can industry and government embed security, zero trust principles, and resilient system design into next-generation defense platforms and data ecosystems from the outset?
- What approaches are needed to manage risk, governance, and trust as AI systems, software-defined capabilities, and autonomous technologies become central to defense operations?
10:45 AM

Networking Break
11:15 AM

Panel Discussion: Adaptation Advantage: Outpacing Adversaries Through Rapid Innovation and Continuous Learning

Kevin McQueary - Data and AI Weaponization Lead - US NAVY
12:15 PM

Bridging Defense and Innovation: Accelerating AI Adoption Through Strategic Partnerships

Colleen Laughlin - Advisory Board Member - STATION DC
- Connecting defense with the innovation ecosystem: engaging startups, nontraditional vendors, and emerging technology communities
- Overcoming barriers to adoption: navigating procurement, trust, and integration challenges in deploying AI and data capabilities
- Building effective partnerships: aligning government, industry, and investors to accelerate capability delivery
- Scaling impact: lessons on transitioning innovative technologies into mission-relevant use across the defense enterprise
12:15PM

Accelerating Defense Innovation Through AI, Emerging Technologies, and Strategic Collaboration

Amy Soller - Board Member - DARPA
12:45 PM

Lunch & Networking
2:00PM

THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
2:00 PM

Scaling Commercial Capabilities for Operational Advantage

Arthur Grijalva - Director, SPACEWERX - U.S. SPACE FORCE
- Bridging the gap between commercial innovation and defense needs to rapidly deliver mission-ready capabilities
- Leveraging partnerships with startups and non-traditional vendors to drive speed, agility, and technological advantage
- Streamlining acquisition pathways to accelerate prototyping, testing, and transition to operational use
- Scaling successful innovations across the force to support emerging mission requirements and future capabilities
2:30 PM

From Startup to Squadron: Delivering Commercial Innovation to the Warfighter

Jason Chen - Innovation Accelerator - AFWERX
- Expanding partnerships with startups, venture-backed companies, and non-traditional defense firms to accelerate the transition of emerging technologies into operational capability
- Integrating AI, autonomy, and advanced digital technologies into Air Force and Space Force missions through closer collaboration with the commercial technology ecosystem
- Strengthening pathways for innovators to work with the Department of Defense and deliver mission-ready capabilities at speed
3:00 PM

Innovation Panel: Breaking Barriers and Accelerating Technology Adoption at Scale
- Data and AI: how can innovation units better support Commands in managing data, integrating AI solutions, and streamlining workflows?
- How can we push updates and scale tactical edge data integration services more rapidly?
- What efforts are needed to optimize the acquisition and implementation of technology?
3:30 PM

COFFEE & NETWORKING BREAK
4:00PM

From Innovation to Deployment: Delivering AI-Enabled Capabilities for Defense Missions

Michael Huynh - Founder & CEO - PHERATECH SYSTEMS
4:30PM

Scaling AI and Data Capabilities for Operational Impact

Tejas Patel - Program Manager, Information Innovation Office - DARPA
5:00PM

End of Conference

CDAO Defense & Security 2026 schedule

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