Drones in Ukraine: A Founder's Perspective on Tech and War

Imagine this: A former Navy SEAL turned tech entrepreneur is in an Uber, heading to a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine. Suddenly, his phone buzzes with a warning about incoming Russian bombs. Instead of panicking, he shrugs and says, "If it's your time to go, then it's your time to go." This is Brandon Tseng, co-founder of Shield AI, who is all about bringing the latest AI technology to the battlefield. His company makes drones and AI pilots that can navigate without GPS, a key feature in a place like Ukraine where Russian technology can block signals. Tseng's office is filled with inspirational quotes, like "Do what honor dictates" and "Earn your shield every day." He's not just about making money; he believes in the mission of his company. One of his biggest inspirations is the U.S. Constitution, which he says represents values that we should always strive for. He's confident that Shield AI's tech is making a real difference in Ukraine, and he wants the United States to learn from the experiences there.

Ukraine has become a test ground for new defense tech. Many founders, including Tseng, have gone there to sell their products and see how they perform in real combat situations. However, not all tech is successful. Some drones from U.S. startups have failed when faced with Russia's GPS blackout technology. Tseng is proud that Shield AI's drones have done better, and he's working to send more. There's a big question surrounding military AI: should it be allowed to make life-or-death decisions on its own? Tseng is against this idea. He believes that the decision to use lethal force should always be made by a human. He even compares the future of battlefield technology to the sci-fi classic "Ender's Game," where a single person can command a vast army of robots. But in his vision, it's still a human doing the commanding, not the AI. Shield AI has come a long way since it started in 2015. Tseng and his brother have raised over $1 billion and landed big contracts, like a $198 million deal with the Coast Guard. They're also surrounded by major defense contractors like Raytheon. Tseng's dream is to put a million AI pilots in customers' hands, and he's not slowing down any time soon.

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