Protecting Warfighters With AI And Autonomy For Aviation

Brandon Tseng is Co-founder and President of Shield AI. Shield AI was founded to bring the best of AI and autonomy technology to the DoD and our allies to protect service members and civilians. 

In an interview with Ernestine Fu Mak, Tseng shares his journey from military service to building Shield AI, a company dedicated to developing autonomous AI pilots for military aircraft. He provides deep insights into the challenges of working with the U.S. government, scaling defense tech startups, and the future of intelligent, affordable mass in warfare. The conversation explores how AI is transforming combat strategy, the implications of electronic warfare, and what the U.S. must do to maintain its technological edge. 

Joe Felter also provides special remarks. 

Key Takeaways

• AI Pilots Will Revolutionize Warfare

  AI-driven autonomy is the key to overcoming GPS and communications jamming, reshaping air combat, and enabling intelligent, affordable mass in military operations.

• The U.S. Must Mobilize Its Industrial Base

  While America leads in AI and software, China dominates in industrial capacity. To maintain superiority, the U.S. must rapidly scale production and adoption of new technologies.

• Defense Innovation Faces Bureaucratic Roadblocks

  Traditional military acquisition is requirements-driven rather than problem-driven, slowing down the adoption of breakthrough solutions. Policy reform is critical to unlocking innovation.

• Startups Need Both Contracts and Relationships

  Winning early DoD contracts is vital, but deep user engagement—building what warfighters actually need—matters just as much for long-term success.‍

• Founding a Defense Tech Startup is a Long, Hard Fight

  Like SEAL training, building a venture-backed defense company is grueling. Success requires resilience, strong leadership, and a mission-driven team willing to endure setbacks.