Secretary Hegseth Delivers Keynote Speech at NAIA Defense Innovation Dinner

Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth Shares His Vision for AI Implementation at NAIA’s Defense Innovation Dinner

HERNDON, VA - The Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War, today delivered the keynote address at the National Artificial Intelligence Association’s (NAIA) inaugural Defense Innovation Dinner in Arlington. This special event focused on the future of American defense in the age of artificial intelligence and the Department of War’s efforts to integrate this technology across its programs.

The special evening, called “AI and The Warfighter: Defense Innovation Dinner,” brought together senior Department of War officials, AI industry executives, and national security professionals for an unparalleled exchange on how America can harness the transformative power of AI to protect its people, project strength abroad, and maintain military and technological superiority.

During his remarks, Secretary Hegseth said, “The world's top AI companies, as you know, are right here in the United States. Many in this very room, an ecosystem ripe with innovation that no other country can compete with. We have to act quickly to employ capabilities in a military context that upholds Western civilization and the American way of life.”

He continued, “As we put these tools into the hands of millions of warfighters, let's be clear about what this rapid adoption actually means. AI will never replace the gut instinct of an American combat commander, and it's not replacing the trigger puller on the front lines. AI is an apex tool, a lethality multiplier designed to make our war fighters faster, deadlier, and completely dominant on the battlefield.”

Before introducing the Secretary, NAIA president and CEO Caleb Max said, “We were incredibly honored that Secretary Hegseth joined our Defense Innovation Dinner. The industry is grateful to have a leader at the Pentagon that welcomes our industry and the best and brightest innovations that can help keep Americans safe. As we celebrate a historic 250th year of our great nation, we must remember that the to build and do great things is in the American DNA. Our member companies are ready to help our federal government harness AI to protect its people, project strength abroad, and maintain military and technological supremacy in an increasingly competitive world.”

Since its launch in December 2024, NAIA has grown to be the largest nonpartisan business coalition in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for government policies that enhance AI innovation, support American AI leadership, and maintain global competitiveness for American companies building in AI.

The Defense Innovation Dinner was sponsored by HII Mission Technologies, Leading America LLC, Red Cedar Consulting, Google Public Sector, One Health Partners, Einstein AI JV, Salesforce, Neuroscale AI, Washington Global Resources, D-Wave and many other NAIA members.

To watch Secretary Hegseth's remarks, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnEXmZIklaQ

To watch a compilation video of the special event, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuHCjNM99PA