Announced Monday, the move reflects a growing interest in leveraging AI for national security while addressing the sector’s cautious approach to adopting emerging technologies due to concerns over sensitive data.
Astris AI aims to streamline the adoption of AI solutions within the defense sector and explore applications in select commercial industries. The subsidiary will be led by Donna O’Donnell, an industry veteran with experience in automation and generative AI from her tenure at Xerox.
Defense companies have traditionally lagged behind other industries in adopting AI, primarily due to the challenges of handling classified data. However, interest in advanced AI solutions for defense missions is gaining momentum. Earlier this month, Anduril Industries, a private defense tech firm, announced a partnership with OpenAI to develop and deploy AI systems tailored to national security needs.
The formation of Astris AI also comes at a time when President-elect Donald Trump’s government efficiency initiative—potentially involving Elon Musk—could foster more collaborations between established defense contractors and innovative tech firms. Areas of focus could include AI, drones, and uncrewed submarines, signaling a shift toward modernizing national security tools through emerging technologies.
Lockheed Martin’s initiative highlights a growing recognition of AI’s transformative potential in the defense sector, as long as one could balance innovation with the complexities of working with classified systems.
