“AI and National Security at the Tactical Edge” 

Zac Staples

Founder and CEO, Fathom5

This talk explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping national security through real-time decision support at the tactical edge. Zac Staples will break down the real-world challenges and opportunities of putting advanced decision support tools into the hands of the Navy and Marines. Drawing on his experience leading AI innovation aboard Navy warships and serving as a Commissioner for the Atlantic Council’s “Software Defined Warfare” initiative, he will provide perspective on how the U.S. can responsibly harness AI at the tactical edge, where speed, trust, and resilience matter most.

Zac Staples is the Founder and CEO of Fathom5, a technology firm advancing secure infrastructure for AI-driven machines that redefine industrial resilience and support national defense. Fathom5 deployed the first AI platform on U.S. Navy warships and has secured 17 patents in actuator technology and cybersecurity. It aims to protect critical systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and other industrial partners, ensuring secure and efficient operations in contested environments. Focusing on cybersecurity, operational technology, and AI, it connects established infrastructure with next-generation solutions, setting new standards for defense and industry security. Staples is a 20-year Navy veteran and former Director of the Center for Cyber Warfare at the Naval Postgraduate School.