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From stealth mode to center stage, Mach Industries is bringing AI into one of the world’s most complex and controversial sectors: defense. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Ethan Thornton, CEO and founder of Mach Industries, steps onto the AI Stage to share what it takes to build in high-stakes environments where speed and autonomy matter most — and why next-gen infrastructure starts with rethinking the fundamentals.
Inside the AI arms race — and the founder aiming to rewrite it
Thornton launched Mach Industries out of MIT in 2023 with a bold mission: to build decentralized, next-generation defense technologies that safeguard freedom on a global scale. Now leading one of the most ambitious startups in the space, he’s bringing startup speed and AI-native innovation to an industry long dominated by legacy players.
From startup lab to battlefield impact
Mach Industries is part of a new wave proving that AI startups can play a critical role in national defense. This session will unpack what that means — from autonomous systems and edge computing to dual-use technologies that blur the lines between commercial and military capability. Thornton will dig into funding, regulation, and responsibility at the intersection of tech and geopolitics.
AI isn’t just powering chatbots — it’s redefining global power
With global tensions rising and defense investment accelerating, this conversation offers a timely look at how AI is reshaping security, strategy, and sovereignty. Don’t miss it live on the AI Stage, October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Register now to join 10,000+ startup and VC leaders — and save up to $668 before prices increase after September 26.
