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IDGA are delighted to host its annual AI for Defense Transformation summit taking place on August 18-19, 2026, at the Austin Marriott South, Austin, TX.

The summit historically brings together leaders and experts from across the U.S. military and allied forces to explore the latest advancements in AI and their applications in defense. Discussions in 2026 will highlight key initiatives such as Advana, Project Linchpin, Replicator 2, and Project Maven, providing insight into how these programs are shaping the future of military AI.

View the 2025 agenda to find out what you might expect from 2026 >>

Artificial intelligence (AI) has captured the attention of defense and security experts around the world. Whether in regard to cybersecurity, threat detection, information gathering, or simulation training, the applications of AI in defense appear endless. At the forefront of leveraging and implementing AI in modern military operations is the U.S. Department of Defense.

The following report will analyze four of the leading AI initiatives within the DoD. Those include:

• Project Maven
• Advana
• Replicator
• Project Linchpin

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a trendy buzzword in recent years thanks to the explosion of large language models such as ChatGPT, the military-industrial space has been researching and deploying AI solutions for decades. In fact, Alan Turing, the mathematician who achieved a groundbreaking milestone in military history when he cracked the German’s enigma machine encryption during WWII, is considered the father of AI thanks to his Turing Test, which determines if a machine can think. Today, applications of AI for defense and security include enhanced decision-making, information gathering, threat detection, and target acquisition, to name a few examples.

The following piece will outline six times the U.S. military, specifically the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has designed and implemented an AI solution. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, and defense is no exception. 

The chairwoman of the AI for Defense Transformation conference, Eileen Vidrine, the former Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer for the Department of the Air Force, has experience leading transformative change initiatives in defense, intelligence, air, and space. In her leadership roles, Eileen has consistently driven innovation by establishing new programs that enhance workforce capabilities and promote best practices in data management and AI.

Before the 2025 conference began, IDGA sat down with Eileen to discuss AI trends, the importance of collaboration, and what she was looking forward to as chairwoman of the event.

In the U.S. military, the DoD has established dozens of teams across its five branches intent on learning more about AI capabilities, developing and procuring solutions, and collaborating with the tech industry. Mr. John Osborne serves on one of these units inside the Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA).

As the Senior Science and Technology Advisor to the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G2, Osborne advises the Army’s Senior Intelligence Officer on Intelligence Science and Technology programs and funding across various research and development stages. These include applied research, advanced technology development, and advanced component development and prototyping.

Before Osborne spoke at AI for Defense Transformation last year, he sat down with IDGA to discuss the Army G-2’s role in shaping AI, the key pillars of AI implementation, and much more.

View the 2025 Attendee Snapshot to find out who attended last year's AI for Defense Transformation summit in Austin, TX, and is likely to return in 2026.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to network with industry leaders, build new connections, share best practices, and explore innovations in artificial intelligence.