The defense-tech founder betting on autonomous war

# Shield AI's Autonomous War Drones Are Now Worth $13 Billion A former Navy SEAL named Brandon Tseng started a company that builds AI-powered drones for military use, and after years of skepticism from tech companies worried about autonomous weapons, his San Diego-based startup is now one of the most valuable defense-tech firms in the world. His drones are already being used in real combat zones like Ukraine and the Middle East to gather intelligence and perform dangerous tasks without putting soldiers at risk. The interview explores whether the U.S. and its allies can be trusted to use this powerful AI technology responsibly, and how a military background shaped Tseng's approach to running a startup.