Emil Michael: Iran, Anthropic and the Future of AI at the Pentagon - The a16z Show Recap

Podcast: The a16z Show

Published: 2026-03-13

Duration: 28 min

Guests: Emil Michael

Summary

Emil Michael discusses the urgent need for AI advancement in the Pentagon, highlighting challenges with existing contracts and the necessity of democratic oversight in AI deployment. He emphasizes the importance of moving at wartime speed in defense technology to remain competitive globally.

What Happened

Emil Michael, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, highlights the monumental task of transforming AI capabilities within the Pentagon, reducing 14 critical technology areas to six, with applied AI as the top priority. Under his leadership, AI usage within the department skyrocketed from 80,000 to 1.2 million personnel in just 90 days.

Michael outlines the challenges of existing AI contracts, where models embedded in sensitive military systems could be shut off mid-operation due to restrictive vendor terms. He stresses that a company's internal values should not dictate U.S. military operations, advocating for more robust partnerships with AI companies willing to support national security.

The conversation delves into the historical context of 'peacetime speed' at the Pentagon, tracing back to post-Cold War policies that stifled innovation and led to a reliance on a few major defense contractors. Michael argues for a shift to 'wartime speed' to re-domesticate critical supplies and technologies, ensuring national self-reliance.

Discussing the integration of AI into defense, Michael highlights the potential for AI in improving logistics, intelligence analysis, and material science, enhancing capabilities like anomaly detection in satellite imagery and optimizing military operations through advanced war gaming and simulations.

Michael's experiences from the White House Fellowship Program and his passion for public service, sparked during his time with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, underscore his commitment to modernizing defense technologies. He emphasizes the importance of patriotic service and the need for industry collaboration to achieve these goals.

Highlighting the necessity of democratic oversight, Michael describes the delicate balance between advancing AI capabilities and adhering to American civil liberties. He warns against relinquishing control to corporate constitutions, stressing the importance of lawful use of AI under U.S. democratic processes.

The episode concludes with Michael's call to action for startups and tech companies to engage with the government, emphasizing the need for scaling production capabilities and aligning with national security interests. He expresses hope for a new generation of founders inspired to support defense initiatives through innovative technologies.

Key Insights

• Emil Michael slashed the Pentagon's focus from 14 to 6 critical technology areas, prioritizing applied AI. This streamlined approach led to a staggering increase in AI usage, reaching 1.2 million personnel in just 90 days.
• Restrictive vendor terms have been a thorn in the Pentagon's side, as AI models can be shut off mid-operation. Michael argues that internal values of AI companies should not dictate U.S. military operations, pushing for partnerships that align with national security.
• The Pentagon's 'peacetime speed' post-Cold War stifled innovation, leading to dependency on a few major contractors. Michael calls for a shift to 'wartime speed' to regain control over critical supplies and technology, aiming for national self-reliance.
• Balancing AI advancement with civil liberties, Michael warns against corporate constitutions overshadowing democratic oversight. He insists that the lawful use of AI under U.S. democratic processes is crucial, urging tech companies to engage with government initiatives.

Key Questions Answered

What does Emil Michael say about AI contracts at the Pentagon on The a16z Show?

Emil Michael highlights the restrictive nature of AI contracts in the Pentagon, where terms could potentially disable critical software mid-operation. He emphasizes that corporate values should not dictate U.S. military operations and advocates for revising these contracts to ensure operational security.

How has Emil Michael impacted AI usage in the Pentagon according to The a16z Show?

Since taking his role, Emil Michael has increased AI usage within the Department of Defense from 80,000 to 1.2 million personnel in just 90 days. He prioritized applied AI to enhance military capabilities and address the department's lag in AI adoption.

What challenges does Emil Michael identify for defense startups on The a16z Show?

Emil Michael identifies the challenge for startups in scaling production and manufacturing capabilities to support defense needs. He stresses the importance of startups building the necessary infrastructure to produce and test new technologies at scale, borrowing from traditional defense contractors' strengths.