March 09, 2026
Jack Shanahan: An Inside Look at Track 2 AI Meetings Between the U.S. and China
Jack Shanahan has become synonymous with the adoption of artificial intelligence in the U.S. Department of Defense. As the founding director of the Joint AI Center, which was subsumed by the Chief Digital and AI Office, Shanahan oversaw the Pentagon’s early efforts to institutionalize and deploy AI, including through the infamous Project Maven. Now retired from the U.S. military, he serves as a consultant and fellow for organizations like the Center for a New American Security. Shanahan joined CTRL + ALT + DEFENSE to explore how AI adoption has evolved since his time leading the JAIC, the track 2 conversations between the U.S. and China on the technology, and the challenges the Pentagon faces balancing speed and safety in building its AI arsenal.
Watch the full interview on DefenseScoop.
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