National security meets next-gen tech at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025’s AI Defense panel

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is set to be a pivotal event where innovative ideas confront pressing challenges that will shape the future. With more than 10,000 leaders from startups and venture capital firms coming together, it provides a unique platform for critical discussions. Among the most pressing topics is how artificial intelligence is transforming national defense, security, and critical infrastructure. The AI Defense panel is a highlight of the conference, featuring esteemed leaders from government, venture capital, and military services. They will delve into the urgent interplay between technological advancement and national security. As AI technology evolves rapidly, the urgency for innovation in defense has never been more acute. Key areas of focus will include autonomous systems, decision intelligence, cybersecurity, and battlefield preparedness. The U.S. defense and intelligence sectors are in a race to develop smarter and more adaptable technologies, all while ensuring ethical standards and safety protocols are not compromised. This panel will examine the fine line between intelligence and control, the crucial role startups play in driving defense innovation, and the multi-billion-dollar opportunities that lie at the crossroads of national security and AI. Among the notable speakers is Dr. Kathleen Fisher, who leads the Information Innovation Office at DARPA. Dr. Fisher is at the forefront of developing technologies that grant the U.S. and its allies a competitive advantage in contemporary information conflicts. With a background that includes work at AT&T Labs and teaching at Tufts University, she combines research expertise with strategic insight. Sri Chandrasekar, Managing Partner at Point72 Ventures and a former leader at In-Q-Tel, the CIA's investment branch, will also join the discussion. His expertise in identifying groundbreaking technology and creating investment strategies for the intelligence community’s most challenging missions will provide valuable insights. Additionally, Justin Fanelli, Chief Technology Officer for the Department of the Navy, rounds out the panel. His experience straddles cybersecurity, innovation, and the practical implementation of technology within a complex government framework. His past roles, including a fellowship at DARPA, have equipped him with a unique perspective on AI's impact on defense operations. The AI Defense panel will take place on one of the AI Stages, with the exact schedule to be announced soon. TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will be held from October 27 to 29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. This is an unmissable opportunity to join over 10,000 industry leaders for three dynamic days of discussions and networking that will shape the future of technology and defense. Secure your pass now before prices rise after July.