National security meets next-gen tech at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025’s AI Defense panel

San Francisco, CA – The intersection of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and the critical domain of national security will take center stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, a premier event where groundbreaking ideas converge with the defining challenges of our future. With over 10,000 startup and VC leaders expected to attend, the event promises robust discussions, none more urgent than the profound ways AI is reshaping global defense, security frameworks, and critical infrastructure in real time.

A highlight of this year’s conference will be the highly anticipated AI Defense panel, a must-attend session on one of the two dedicated AI Stages. This panel will bring together a distinguished lineup of leaders from government, venture capital, and the armed services to delve into the high-stakes confluence of rapid innovation and national security imperatives.

Why This Conversation Matters Now

With AI advancing at an unprecedented speed, the stakes for defense innovation have reached new heights. The U.S. defense and intelligence communities are intensely focused on developing smarter, more adaptive technologies – from autonomous systems and sophisticated decision intelligence to advanced cybersecurity and enhanced battlefield readiness. This rapid development, however, comes with a critical challenge: ensuring ethical considerations, robust oversight, and paramount safety are never compromised.

The AI Defense panel is set to explore this delicate balance between intelligence and control. It will dissect the pivotal role of startups in driving defense innovation and shed light on the multi-billion-dollar opportunities emerging where national security intersects with artificial intelligence. For startups engaged in defense, government technology, cybersecurity, or AI infrastructure, this promises to be an indispensable discussion, offering insights into strategic needs and potential partnerships.

Where Defense, Intelligence, and Innovation Converge

The panel features a lineup of distinguished experts:
Dr. Kathleen Fisher, Director of the Information Innovation Office at DARPA, will share her insights on leading the development of technologies crucial for maintaining the U.S. and its allies’ advantage in 21st-century information warfare. With a robust background spanning AT&T Labs and academia at Tufts University, Dr. Fisher combines deep research credibility with a strategic vision for the next generation of defense-grade AI.

Joining her is Sri Chandrasekar, Managing Partner at Point72 Ventures, and a former leader at In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s strategic investment arm. Chandrasekar brings extensive expertise in identifying frontier technologies that create significant impact, having developed investment frameworks specifically designed to support some of the intelligence community’s most challenging missions.

Completing the esteemed panel is Justin Fanelli, Chief Technology Officer for the Department of the Navy. Fanelli operates at the critical nexus of cybersecurity, innovation, and adoption, spearheading digital transformation initiatives across one of the government’s most complex organizations. His experience, from a DARPA Service Chiefs Fellowship to nationally recognized work in defense health and command systems, provides a vital ‘boots-on-the-ground’ perspective on how defense is evolving in the age of AI.

Catch It Live at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The AI Defense panel will be held on the dedicated AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. While the exact session time is yet to be announced, prospective attendees are encouraged to secure their passes promptly.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is scheduled for October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. This three-day event is an unparalleled opportunity to join over 10,000 startup founders, investors, and industry leaders for conversations and connections that will shape the future of technology. Don’t miss out on this vital discussion and the chance to network with the brightest minds in AI and defense. Grab your pass now before prices increase after July.