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 and Presenter Information

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

Expected Number of Attendees

200

Relevant Government Agencies

Air Force, Army, Navy & Marine Corps, Intelligence Agencies, DOD & Military, Office of the President (includes OMB), Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Commerce, Dept of Education, Dept of Energy, Dept of Health & Human Services, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of Housing & Urban Development, Dept of the Interior, Dept of Justice, Dept of Labor, Dept of State, Dept of Transportation, Dept of Treasury, Dept of Veterans Affairs, GSA, SSA, NASA, Other Federal Agencies, Legislative Agencies (GAO, GPO, LOC, etc.), Judicial Branch Agencies, State Government, County Government, City Government, Municipal Government, CIA, Office of Personnel Management, Coast Guard, National Institutes of Health, FAA, Census Bureau, USAID, National Guard Association, Federal Government, State & Local Government, Foreign Governments/Agencies, NSA