In a gripping encounter just two months ago, Brandon Tseng, co-founder of Shield AI, found himself navigating the chaotic streets of Kyiv, Ukraine, in an Uber. Accompanied by an employee and en route to a critical meeting with military officials regarding their AI pilot systems and drones, an alarming message interrupted their journey: Russian bombs were on the way. Tseng, however, remained unfazed, casually remarking, “If it’s your time to go, then it’s your time to go.”

This is not the first time Tseng, a former Navy SEAL, has brushed shoulders with danger. He expressed envy over his colleagues who had ventured into even more perilous areas in Ukraine to train troops on how to utilize their technology effectively. “Just from an adventure standpoint,” he admitted, his passion for the frontline evident.

At Shield AI’s office in Arlington, Tseng reflects a humble yet assertive spirit often seen in defense tech entrepreneurs. His office displays motivational quotes from military ethos, emphasizing notions like honor and earning one’s shield. These themes resonate deeply with the mission he and his brother, Ryan Tseng, a seasoned electrical engineer, embarked on in 2015: to create what Tseng boasts is “the world’s best AI pilot,” with dreams of distributing one million AI pilots.

With over $1 billion raised from investors such as Riot Ventures and the U.S. Innovative Technology Fund, Shield AI is at the forefront of AI developments, pushing boundaries not only with hardware like their V-BAT drones but also in efforts to expand their autonomous software capabilities to underwater and surface systems. Their notable $198 million contract with the U.S. Coast Guard further affirms their growing influence in defense technologies.

In a groundbreaking shift in defense discussions, a recent meeting took place outside of Washington, D.C. for the first time since 2006. Members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee came to Silicon Valley to engage with tech leaders like Tseng about the critical role of American technology in Ukraine, which Tseng described as a “great laboratory” for testing new defense technologies in live combat scenarios. “The Ukrainians won't use anything that doesn’t work on the battlefield, period,” he stated, emphasizing the need for practical solutions.

While many defense tech products are failing under the intense conditions of electronic warfare in Ukraine, Tseng is confident in his company’s drones, claiming they can function without GPS, giving them an edge over competitors. Although exact numbers on deployed units were not disclosed, he assured that efforts are ongoing to increase their presence on the ground.

Navigating the ethical minefield of military AI technology is another critical aspect of Tseng's vision. In stark contrast to some contemporaries advocating for fully autonomous weapons, Tseng firmly opposes the idea that AI should independently determine lethal action. He believes moral decisions on the battlefield are inherently human and must remain so. “That is Shield AI’s standpoint. That is also the U.S. military’s standpoint,” he stated emphatically.

Despite ongoing debates over military AI regulations and potential shifts in policy, Tseng downplayed any fear of an 'army of Terminators': envisioning instead a future where a single commander could manage a multitude of drones. This aligns with elements of science fiction, evoking comparisons to the classic 'Ender’s Game'—a world where strategic power is augmented by advanced technology, yet firmly rooted in human decision-making.

The future of warfare may be on the brink of a metamorphosis, as companies like Shield AI pave pathways for integrating AI into modern defense systems. Their journey reflects both the potential and perils present in the intersection of technology and ethics on the global stage. As the world watches eagerly, the questions of responsibility and morality in military AI will undoubtedly dominate discussions in the years to come.