Defense One Tech Summit 2026

The Pentagon is entering a new phase of modernization, one defined less by experimentation and more by enterprise-scale execution. Technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, autonomous systems, space architectures, and next-generation missile defense are no longer separate initiatives. Together, they form the foundation of future warfighting. From data platforms that enable faster, predictive decisions, to edge AI operating in contested environments, to autonomous systems reshaping force design, today's conflicts are driving a fundamental shift in how military power is built and applied. As near-peer competitors move quickly, often without ethical or policy constraints, the United States and its allies must convert technological advantage into sustained operational dominance. The annual Defense One Tech Summit brings together senior defense leaders and innovators from across the services and combatant commands to examine how the Pentagon is building, scaling, and governing these critical technologies. Discussions will explore enterprise AI and data infrastructure, distributed and tactical intelligence, real-world autonomous operations, autocratic approaches to AI, startup-driven innovation, and the convergence of space, missile defense, and nuclear deterrence. Together, these conversations will highlight how the U.S. can move faster from prototype to production, identify remaining barriers, and better align government and industry to compete and win in an era of accelerating technological competition.