All Quiet on the Second Front Second Front

Episode 57. In this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, Tyler Sweatt sits down with Wasim Khaled, CEO of Blackbird.AI, to explore the critical issue of disinformation and its implications on modern society. Wasim shares his journey from being a gearhead with a computer science background to co-founding Blackbird.AI, a company dedicated to combating the manipulation of narratives in the information age. The conversation delves into the evolution of disinformation, the challenges in identifying truth in a complex media landscape, and the innovative approaches Blackbird.AI employs to address these issues.

Episode 56. On this episode of All Quiet, Tyler sits down with Devaki Raj, Chief Digital and AI Officer at Saab. Hear Devaki discuss her background in AI and machine learning, including her time as CEO of Crowdai, a no-code mission-focused AI platform acquired by Saab in 2023.

Episode 55. In this episode of All Quiet, Tyler is joined by Eric Slesinger, General Partner at 201 Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Madrid, Spain. 201 Ventures focuses on advancing freedom and autonomy in Europe by backing pre-seed and seed-stage companies in the intelligence, defense, and dual-use technology sectors. Eric, originally from Washington D.C., shares his journey from engineering and intelligence to leading 201 Ventures. Throughout the episode, Tyler and Eric delve into the critical role Europe plays in global security and the evolving dynamics of the defense technology landscape. Eric highlights the shifting focus towards economic competition and the need for Europe to bolster its defense tech capabilities internally. They discuss the increased defense budgets across major European countries, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the need for innovative approaches to address the continent's unique security challenges.

Season 3, Episode 54. In this episode of All Quiet, Tyler is joined by Thomas Hendrix, Founder and Managing Partner at Decisive Point, to explore the intersection of venture capital and defense technology. Thomas shares his unique journey from a Special Forces officer in the Army to a finance professional on Wall Street, and ultimately to founding Decisive Point. They dive into the nuances of bringing commercial technology to the defense sector, discussing the challenges and opportunities of dual-use technologies, and the importance of hardware and software integration. Thomas offers insights into the regulatory landscape, the role of government as a first customer, and the critical aspect of empathy and understanding in developing technologies for the defense community.

Season 3, Episode 53. Today on All Quiet, Tyler Sweatt sits down with Steve Bowsher, CEO of In-Q-Tel, to delve into the intricate world of venture capital as it relates to government needs. Steve shares his journey from government consulting to Silicon Valley and ultimately to leading In-Q-Tel. Throughout the episode, they explore the unique challenges and opportunities in aligning the goals of high-quality venture-backed startups with the mission requirements of government agencies. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of global threats, the strategic use of commercial technology in national security, and the ongoing efforts to maintain the United States' leadership in technology and defense.

Season 3, Episode 52. Today on 'All Quiet,' Tyler welcomes Jacqueline Tame, Executive Director at Silicon Valley Defense Group (SVDG) and Operating Partner at Playground Global, a pioneering venture capital firm specializing in deep tech. In a discussion that spans the intersection of technology, policy, and defense, Jacqueline shares her unique insights into the critical role of venture capital in national security. They delve into how non-dilutive funding and regulatory strategies can propel tech innovations from concept to deployment within government frameworks. Jacqueline discusses her groundbreaking work on GAMECHANGER at the DoD's Joint AI Center and her leadership in pioneering quantum computing initiatives at PsiQuantum. The conversation also covers the importance of bridging the gap between Silicon Valley innovation and Pentagon requirements, highlighting Jacqueline's pivotal role in fostering collaborations that enhance national security.