Autonomy in Defense 2026
Advance Mission Capability through Trusted, Intelligent Autonomy
Introducing Autonomy in Defense 2026 — a groundbreaking new event bringing together senior leaders in defense, autonomy, and AI to shape the future of national security.
This inaugural summit will explore cutting-edge advancements in autonomous systems, AI-enabled decision-making, and mission resilience. Join defense innovators, government stakeholders, and industry experts to address critical challenges such as operational trust, ethical deployment, human-machine teaming, and integration across joint and allied forces.
Join the conversation with #AutonomyDefense2026.
Speaker Details
Gwendolyn Defilippi, SES, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower & Reserve Affairs, DEPARTMENT OF THE US AIR FORCE
John Garstka, SES, Director Cyber Warfare/Platform and Weapons Portfolio Management, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition & Sustainment), US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Thomas Lawhead, SES, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Design and Requirements, US AIR FORCE FUTURES
Dr. Robert Sadowski, SES, Army Chief Roboticist, DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center, US ARMY
David Breede, Program Executive Officer, Tactical Information Systems, US SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
Dr. Steven K. Rogers, Senior Scientist AI-Enabled Autonomy, US AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY
Michael J. Frank, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, US NAVY
Colin Corridan, Director, Disruptive Capabilities Office, US NAVY
Matthew Willis, PhD, Director, Army Innovations, US ARMY
Dr. Alvaro Velasquez, Program Manager, Information Innovation Office, DARPA
Randy Reynolds, Acting Director, Army Geospatial Center, US ARMY
Mike Tall, Autonomy SSTM, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, US NAVY
Dr. Anna Rubinstein, Chief of Responsible Artificial Intelligence, NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Dr. Chad Kessens, Senior Robotics Research Scientist, US Army Research Laboratory, US ARMY FUTURES COMMAND
Lieutenant Colonel William Taylor, PdM, Soldier Precision Targeting Devices, PEO Soldier, US ARMY
Lieutenant Colonel Scott Humr, Deputy Director, Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Systems, US MARINE CORPS
Zoe Szajnfarber, Professor and Faculty Director of the GW Trustworthy AI Initiative, Chief Scientist, System Engineering Research Center, US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Arthur Grijalva, Director, SPACEWERX
Dr Marina Theodotou, Innovation & Transformation Executive, US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Zia Tompkins, Deputy Chief, Operations, US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Event Topic
Artificial Intelligence, Defense, MilitaryRelevant Audiences
All State and Local Government, All Federal Government, National Guard, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, City Government, County Government, Municipalities, State Government, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Interior, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of the Treasury, Federal Aviation Administration, General Services Administration, Government Accountability Office, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institute of Health, National Security Agency, U.S. Agency of International Development, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Veterans AffairsOther Agency
Office of the President (includes OMB), Other Federal Agencies, Judicial Branch Agencies, Foreign Governments/Agencies
Convene
1201 Wilson Boulevard
Rosslyn, Virginia, US, 22209