Episode 251: The Future of National Security and AI From a Military Perspective with Zac Staples

The International Risk Podcast

This week Dominic hosts Zac Staples and they dive into how AI-native defence systems are reshaping the battlefield—and why getting this wrong isn’t just bad for business, it’s catastrophic for global stability.

• They discuss the challenges and opportunities AI brings
• What AI's role could be
• How AI can enhance security
• Predictive maintenance and it's strategic importance
• Global security
• Tempest OS
• Nuclear deterrence
• and more!

Zac Staples is a former U.S. Navy officer and the founder and CEO of Fathom5, an industrial defence-technology company headquartered in Austin, Texas. Since 2018 he has led Fathom5 to uninterrupted growth and profitability. Zac and the Fathom5 team are building Brilliant Machines with new actuators, cyber resilient designs, and AI optimization. Among the company’s many accomplishments are the first program of record deployment of AI aboard a Navy warship, 17 fully awarded patents for actuator and cybersecurity technologies, and several examples of accelerating defense innovation.

Before launching Fathom5, Zac served in the U.S. Navy for over two decades. His career of shipboard service culminated in Zac's selection as the Secretary of the Navy’s 2017 “Innovation Catalyst” award winner for pioneering efforts to develop new digital and cyber capabilities. His background steers Fathom5's vision toward tactical edge use cases for defence innovation.

The International Risk Podcast is a weekly podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. In these podcasts, we speak with experts in a variety of fields to explore international relations. Our host is Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe’s leading risk consulting firms. Dominic is a regular public and corporate event speaker, and visiting lecturer at several universities. Having spent the last 20 years successfully establishing large and complex operations in the world’s highest-risk areas and conflict zones, Dominic now joins you to speak with exciting guests around the world to discuss international risk.

The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to the International Risk Podcast (00:00:00)

2. AI in Defense: Challenges and Opportunities (00:00:44)

3. Current Maritime Conflicts and AI's Role (00:01:52)

4. AI Native Defense Systems: Enhancing Security (00:03:57)

5. Strategic Importance of Predictive Maintenance (00:08:14)

6. Global Security and AI Integration (00:16:33)

7. The Future of Defense: Tempest OS and Beyond (00:27:46)

8. Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of AI (00:33:04)

9. Final Thoughts and Reflections (00:36:49)

10. Conclusion and Farewell (00:38:20)