Pentagon Taps Industry Exec as AI Chief

The Pentagon has named Craig Martell, the head of machine learning at Lyft, as its Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer. 

The hiring of a Silicon Valley executive for the role is likely to be cheered by those in the defense community who have been calling for more technically-minded individuals to take leadership roles in the department. At the same time, Martell's lack of Pentagon experience — he was a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, but has never worked in the department's bureaucracy — may pose challenges as he works to lead an office only months old.

Martell acknowledges both the benefits and risks of bringing in someone with his background.

"I think they [DoD] really need someone from industry who knows how to bring real AI and analytical value at scale and speed," Martell said. "On the other hand, coming from industry has a downside that I don't know my ways around the Pentagon yet."

From Breaking Defense
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