The Threat Landscape is Evolving Rapidly. Operator Insight is Critical for our National Security.

The Threat Landscape is Evolving Rapidly.
Operator Insight is Critical for our National Security.

By Kevin McAleenan • April 13, 2026

The blunt reality is that AI has dramatically lowered the sophistication necessary for threat actors to cause harm.

Advanced AI is already being used by our adversaries in combat zones and by criminal networks at home and abroad.

The United States must be peerless in developing, deploying and countering advanced AI.

Pace is everything.

Adversaries are closing capability gaps in real time.

Solutions have to be built by those who have lived these environments, not just observed them.

Every hour spent imagining ideal conditions is an hour lost in real conditions — for operators on the battlefield and those protecting our grids, stadiums, supply chains, and critical infrastructure.

This is as true for the leaders of global businesses as it is for the servicemen and women defending our homeland and supporting our allies.

Operators confront these threats daily.

They must shape our AI capabilities from the start.