The Defense Tech revolution has its roots in a much-mentioned but seldom understood program to bring AI to modern warfare. That program’s name is Project Maven. Before Anduril, Saronic and the latest crop of defense unicorns, there was only Maven, the effort by Marine Col Drew Cukor and a small team of rebels to use machines to support humans. The program achieved notoriety when a group of Google engineers signed an open letter protesting the company’s involvement in the program, and Google backed out. That crucible moment catalyzed a generation of change, inspiring thousands in a way that gave rise to our current defense tech bonanza, and provided the platform for Palantir to step into the limelight as a new “prime.”

Bloomberg reporter Katrina Manson, in her new book Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare, pulls back the curtain on the program for the first time. With unparalleled access to Col Cukor, she goes inside what it took to win in a bureaucracy full of naysayers.

On April 21, Katrina joins DEF, in conversation with Noah Sheinbaum, of Crossing the Valley, for a candid exploration of Maven’s lessons, and what they mean for our nation’s future.

This event is free. However, any contribution you make helps power future DEF initiatives and grow this vibrant community. It will be a hybrid event with limited in-person seating. If you plan to join remotely, register below to receive the Zoom link. The link will be emailed to all registered attendees 24 hours before the event.