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October 1, 2026
2:00 pm
EVENT: Winning the Adoption War: Diffusing AI Across the U.S. Military
The United States leads the world in frontier artificial intelligence. However, cutting edge technology used by a limited number of people is a trophy, not a capability – and the contest with China will not be decided only at the frontier.
If the most sophisticated technology on earth reaches only a fraction of the force, how much advantage does it confer? How is the Pentagon moving from procuring AI to diffusing it across the force? What cultural and organizational changes does an “AI-first” military require? And how does the United States build and keep the technical talent inside government, turning tools into outcomes before its competitors close the gap?
To discuss these questions and others, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) hosts a conversation with FDD Visiting Military Fellow Major Megan “Napalm” Hainline, F-16 instructor pilot and AI leader; FDD Adjunct Fellow Isaac “Ike” Harris, executive director of the Frontier Security Institute; and Leah Siskind, FDD AI Research Fellow. The discussion will be moderated by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation.
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Senior Envoy for Europe
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Former President of Taiwan
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Overnight Brief: October 19, 2026
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- Today at 8:30am (ET): "FDD Morning Brief," FDD Event
- "How Goes the Jihad?" FDD's Foreign Podicy
- "Sending Syrian Soldiers to Yemen Would Be a Mistake," Foreign Policy
- "Hezbollah's "Big Brother" Is Shielding the Group After Nasrallah's Death," Haaretz
- "Trump can’t win by throwing Ukraine under the bus," Washington Examiner
- "How the Treasury Is Hindering Efforts to Combat Illicit Finance," The National Interest
- "What Can the EU’s New Force Offer Lebanon?" This Is Beirut
- "Lebanon Revokes Bank Saderat’s License, but Hezbollah’s Financial Network Remains," FDD Policy Brief
- "Hezbollah accuses Lebanese police of violating security coordination procedure after supporters reportedly obstruct raid," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Profile: Hezbollah’s new liaison to the Lebanese state and society," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Israel reportedly blocks Board of Peace base in Gaza, IDF reports 31 ceasefire violations October 1–15," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Iraqi commander killed by Islamic State following Iraqi airstrikes against the group," FDD's Long War Journal
The Must-Reads
- Trump endorses Israel’s Netanyahu for re-election
- WSJ Editorial: The Palestinians see through Emmanuel Macron
- Iran's parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi as minister of defence
- Ukrainian drone strike hits Putin’s hometown, striking oil terminal
- WSJ Editorial: To Russia with love, signed Donald
- Hezbollah tells the Lebanese government it wants its explosives back
- Egypt's Sisi says his presidency will end in 2030, outlines plan to prepare future leaders
- Iran is giving Houthis targeting and intelligence for attacks on Saudi Arabia
- North Korea tests new AI-equipped torpedo, KCNA says
- French leaders trade blame after rioting sweeps the nation
- WSJ Editorial: Why France Is burning
- Trump’s overtures to Putin put Republican candidates in hot seat