CDAO Defense & Security 2025 is the premier gathering for senior data, analytics, and AI leaders across U.S. defense, intelligence, and national security sectors. Scheduled for September 16–17, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the event focuses on leveraging data and AI to enhance mission readiness, cybersecurity, and ethical AI deployment in defense operations.​

Key Themes

  • Information Superiority: Strategies for achieving decision advantage through integrated information, cyber, space, and command and control (C2) operations.​

  • AI and Machine Learning: Implementing AI/ML to accelerate decision-making and enhance human-machine collaboration across defense domains.​

  • Data Governance: Establishing robust data governance frameworks to ensure data integrity and support effective decision-making.​

  • Ethical AI: Addressing the ethical considerations of AI deployment in defense, including transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness.​


Notable Sessions

Day 1: September 16, 2025

  • Opening Keynote: Information Superiority in the Digital Age: Shaping the Fight for Decision Advantage
    Speaker: Lieutenant General Melvin “Jerry” Carter, Deputy Commandant for Information, U.S. Marine Corps
    Focus: Integrating information, cyber, space, and C2 to achieve operational dominance and institutionalizing data as a strategic asset.​

  • Maintaining Military Edge Through Modernized IT Strategies and Solutions
    Speaker: William R. Dunlap Jr., Deputy Chief Information Officer for Information Enterprise, U.S. Department of Defense
    Focus: Modernizing IT strategies to maintain a competitive edge in military operations.​

  • Industry Leaders Panel Discussion
    Moderator: Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Michael Groen, Former Director of JAIC, U.S. Department of Defense
    Focus: Aligning industry efforts with DoD priorities to accelerate innovation and address challenges in digital modernization and AI adoption.​

  • Fireside Chat: Data Sharing in Coalition Warfighting: Developing Fast, Precise, and Resilient Kill Chains
    Speaker: Brigadier General C. Ryan Gunst, Senior Staff Intelligence Officer, Joint Staff Intelligence Directorate, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff
    Focus: Enhancing data sharing to develop resilient and precise kill chains in coalition operations.​

  • Project Linchpin: Developing an AI/ML Operations Pipeline
    Speaker: Bharat Patel, Product Lead, Project Linchpin - Sensor AI, U.S. Army
    Focus: Building AI/ML pipelines to support defense operations.​

Day 2: September 17, 2025

  • Promoting Trust in Public Sector AI: Ensuring Robust Data Integrity and Ethical AI Practices
    Focus: Establishing trust in AI applications within the public sector through robust data integrity and ethical practices.

  • Keynote Presentation: Enhancing the Influence of CAIO in Your Organization
    Focus: Strengthening the role of Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) to drive AI initiatives effectively within defense organizations.​

  • Discussion Groups:

    • Sourcing, Retaining, and Training Talent – Competing with the Lure of the Private Sector

    • The Critical Role of Upskilling: Emphasizing Ongoing Development to Bridge the Talent Gap

    • Collaboration is Key – Bridging Technical, Data, and Business Teams

    • Data Security - Ensuring Responsible and Transparent Use of Data

    • The Changing Role of the CDO in the Age of AI

    • Promoting Ethical AI: A Commitment to Trustworthiness in Your Organization

    • Optimizing Agency Operations through Data & AI​


Featured Speakers

  • Lieutenant General Melvin “Jerry” Carter
    Deputy Commandant for Information, U.S. Marine Corps​

  • William R. Dunlap Jr.
    Deputy Chief Information Officer for Information Enterprise, U.S. Department of Defense​

  • Brigadier General C. Ryan Gunst
    Senior Staff Intelligence Officer, Joint Staff Intelligence Directorate, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff​

  • Dr. Robert Moser, SES
    Director, Information Technology Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center​

  • Bharat Patel
    Product Lead, Project Linchpin - Sensor AI, U.S. Army​

  • Eileen Vidrine, SES
    Former Director of JAIC, U.S. Department of Defense​

  • Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Michael Groen
    Former Director of JAIC, U.S. Department of Defense​

  • Colonel Richard Lopez
    Commander, AFLCMC, Detachment 12 (Kessel Run), U.S. Air Force​

  • Joshua Marcuse
    Director of Strategic Initiatives, Google​

CDAO Defense & Security 2025 offers a unique platform for defense and security professionals to engage with thought leaders, explore cutting-edge technologies, and develop strategies to leverage data and AI for mission success. Attendees will gain insights into modernizing IT infrastructure, fostering ethical AI practices, and enhancing collaboration across defense agencies.​

For more information and to register, visit the official event website.