The Pentagon has made artificial intelligence its top technology focus, according to Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, who will address the implications of that decision at a major policy event Tuesday.
Breitbart News and Innovation Council Action are hosting the discussion titled “AI is Here: What to Fear, What to Embrace” on August 25, bringing together key voices from both the Trump administration and the private sector to examine what the AI revolution means for American families, workers, and national security.
President Donald Trump has praised Michael as “one of the most respected leaders in the Tech business.” That endorsement carries significant weight as the administration positions itself at the forefront of emerging technology policy. Michael’s designation of AI as “the number one technology priority at the department” signals a clear shift in how Washington views the race for technological dominance.
Breitbart Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle will lead the conversation with Michael, pressing on the changes that artificial intelligence will bring to America and the broader world. The stakes couldn’t be higher. From job displacement concerns to battlefield applications, AI touches nearly every aspect of American life.
The event will also feature James Proud, founder and CEO of Substrate; Philip Buckendorf, CEO and co-founder of ASI; and Taylor Budowich, Founder of Innovation Council Action. These tech leaders bring private sector perspective to a conversation often dominated by government officials and academic theorists.
Tuesday’s discussion continues a pattern of engagement between Breitbart News and top Trump administration officials. Previous policy events have featured Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, and Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio.
The lineup reflects the administration’s commitment to taking its message directly to conservative media audiences rather than relying solely on legacy outlets. For everyday Americans concerned about how artificial intelligence might reshape their jobs, their communities, and their children’s futures, these conversations offer insight into how their government plans to navigate the technological transformation.
The title itself acknowledges the tension many Americans feel about AI. There are legitimate fears. Automation threatens certain jobs. Privacy concerns mount as algorithms grow more sophisticated. The potential for misuse in everything from deepfakes to surveillance raises real questions about how to protect liberty in a digital age.
But there are also opportunities to embrace. American innovation has always driven prosperity. The nation that leads in AI development will hold tremendous economic and military advantages in the decades ahead. The Trump administration appears determined to ensure that nation remains the United States.
Michael’s role at the Pentagon puts him at the center of these debates. Military applications of artificial intelligence could redefine warfare itself. From autonomous systems to intelligence analysis, the technology promises to give American forces significant advantages if deployed wisely and ethically.
