Pentagon directs major innovation ecosystem shakeup, names new leadership

Pentagon rolls out major reforms of R&D, AI

Sec. Pete Hegseth consolidates tech offices under Pentagon CTO Emil Michael, launches new AI initiatives from swarms to sims to GenAI, and breaks up the sprawling Advana database.

Pentagon directs major innovation ecosystem shakeup, names new leadership

The Defense Department last night published a new directive dramatically cutting and reorganizing Pentagon innovation entities, carving a path to create a clear pipeline of entry points for nontraditional defense contractors centered around six central organizations. The “Innovation Ecosystem Memo” designates the under secretary of defense for research and engineering -- the role former Uber executive Emil Michael holds -- as the single chief te…

Hegseth Puts Chief Technology Officer In Charge Of DoD Innovation Efforts

Defense Secretary Pete Hegeth has directed the chief technology officer (CTO) to oversee the Defense Department’s sprawling innovation effort. Under secretary of defense for research and engineering (R&E) Emil Michael, […]

'SWAT Team' Removes Barriers to Efficient AI Development

JANUARY 13, 2026 – Cameron Stanley will serve as the next Pentagon Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced today during an address at SpaceX headquarters in Starbase, Texas. The advancement of artificial intelligence within the War Department was a key focal point of the secretary’s messaging to industry professionals at SpaceX. Stanley, an Air Force veteran who recently served in the private se…