It’s astonishing how rapidly circumstances can evolve. Just a few years ago, the tech sector was hesitant to engage with defense technology. However, that attitude has completely shifted.
“The war in Ukraine altered the way young individuals view the Department of Defense’s work, emphasizing the crucial role of deterrence and investment in cutting-edge technologies,” remarked Katherine Boyle, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, during Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Conference on Tuesday.
Boyle, a co-founder of a16z’s American Dynamism fund and an investor in defense tech company Anduril and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, revealed that she used to face ridicule when inquiring about technology sales to the Department of Defense. Now, entrepreneurs she interacts with are driven by national security and deterring conflict. “We have a company that has explicitly stated: Xi Jinping influences our product strategy,” Boyle mentioned.
Despite the availability of commercial technology, there remains a significant disparity in comparison to the tech employed in national security, noted Nini Hamrick, co-founder and president of Vannevar Labs, a portfolio company of a16z specializing in software and hardware for U.S. intelligence missions, during the discussion.
Having worked in intelligence for seven years, Hamrick highlighted the contrast between her experiences in Afghanistan, where critical technology was utilized, and her observation of inadequate resources in a mission to rescue hostages in Syria upon returning to the U.S.
“The software we were acquiring came from a select few traditional primes—none of which were software experts,” Hamrick stated, underscoring her motivation to establish Vannevar Labs.
Boyle stressed the importance of more individuals and companies collaborating with the Department of Defense to bridge the innovation gap, given the highly technological nature of modern warfare.
“Russia and China are enhancing their defense industries, investing in manufacturing and capabilities. They don’t hesitate, as authoritarian regimes, to compel their top talent to work on technologies for use in war against us,” Boyle pointed out, warning of potential consequences if young innovators fail to engage with the Department of Defense.
Regarding ethical concerns about investments or product development in this realm, Boyle highlighted that these emerging technologies enable the U.S. military to operate with precision and minimize harm to civilians.
“This is fundamentally about deterrence,” she explained. “It’s about preventing future conflicts and, if they do arise, ensuring they are resolved swiftly and precisely.”
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