Defense Innovation at Speed: DIU and the Future of Warfare with Owen West

Owen West, Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), discusses the urgent effort to modernize U.S. military capability in an era of rapidly evolving technological competition and rising geopolitical threats. Moderated by Joe Felter, with introductory remarks from Ernestine Fu Mak, the discussion explores how DIU is working to bridge the gap between the Department of War and the commercial technology ecosystem — accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies, expanding access to nontraditional defense companies, and reshaping how the military acquires and fields new capabilities. Drawing on his experience in the Marines, the Pentagon, and Wall Street, West shares candid insights on topics such as the changing nature of warfare, the rise of autonomous systems and low-cost drones, procurement reform, and the need to harness American entrepreneurship and innovation to maintain the United States’ technological and strategic edge. He also explains why speed, scale, and affordability have become central to national defense strategy. —— This session is part of the “Silicon Valley & The U.S. Government” speaker series. Silicon Valley collaborations with the U.S. government have led to some of the most important technologies in our society. Driven by visionary leaders, these collaborations have overcome regulatory, business, and technological challenges to achieve exceptional innovation. The results of these innovations have addressed national issues and societal challenges. As government and industry collaboration is more important than ever to accelerate private sector innovation and shape the future of technology, join us in hearing the personal accounts of technology experts, business executives, and public service leaders who have paved the way.