AI & National Security: The History and Future of Emerging Technology and Cybersecurity in Conflict

DATE

AI and National Security: The History and Future of Emerging Technology and Cybersecurity in Conflict

Tuesday, August 26ᵀᴴ

5:00 - 6:30 pm

Grand Room, Posner Hall, CMU

Join us for an important conversation on artificial intelligence and security with two leading experts. "AI and National Security: The History and Future of Emerging Technology and Cybersecurity in Conflict" will feature Brigadier General (retired) Greg Touhill, director of the CERT Division at CMU's Software Engineering Institute and the first Federal Chief Information Security Officer. He will be joined by Mieke Eoyang, a leading executive in policy research and the former top cybersecurity official for the Department of Defense. With their extensive backgrounds in military, government, and policy, these speakers will offer a unique perspective on this critical topic. This event will be moderated by CMIST Director, Audrey Kurth Cronin.

Overview:

The Department of Defense (DoD) is one of the world's largest developers, shapers, and purchasers of disruptive and emerging technologies—a massive enterprise charged with simultaneously mastering cutting-edge capabilities while defending against the weaponization of similar capabilities by adversaries. This unique dual mandate forces DoD to approach transformational technology from both directions: as a wielder seeking strategic advantage, and as a defender protecting against actors who can rapidly adapt these same tools for nefarious purposes. DoD's extensive history with previous technological revolutions—from nuclear weapons to precision munitions to cyber capabilities—offers crucial lessons about establishing guardrails, scaling and fielding innovations, and managing unintended consequences. Yet artificial intelligence also presents fundamentally new challenges that will require both institutional wisdom and innovative thinking. How can the military leverage its hard-won experience while recognizing where AI breaks from historical patterns? How can it maintain decisive advantage while ensuring responsible use? And how can an organization of such scale move with the speed and agility that the AI era demands? These questions sit at the heart of modern defense strategy, and will shape the future of national security.

Mieke Eoyang

Mieke Eoyang is a national security policy expert, having previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy. In that role, she was the senior civilian responsible for cybersecurity and electronic warfare strategy and policy at the Department of Defense, aligning the use of cyber for offense and defense within the broader defense and US government strategies. Prior to her service in the executive branch, she was a recognized think tank leader in developing policies and strategies to address cybercrime, ransomware, electronic surveillance, and privacy. She also has over a decade of service in various Congressional national security roles, drafting legislation and conducting oversight, including on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Armed Services Committee, as well as for individual members of Congress. Her writings have been published by The Washington Post, the Journal of National Security Law and Policy, Democracy: A Journal of Ideas, and Politico, among other publications.

Ms. Eoyang received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and her Bachelor’s Degree from Wellesley College.

Gregory J. Touhill

Gregory J. Touhill is the director of the CERT Division of the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Software Engineering Institute. Previously, he served as the first United States government CISO, as deputy assistant secretary in the DHS Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, and president of a cybersecurity start-up. Touhill is a US Air Force combat veteran, retiring with the rank of brigadier general after 30 years of service. As an operational commander and senior leader, he advanced to the position of J6 and CIO of USTRANSCOM. He received the Bronze Star medal and Master Cyberspace Operations and Master Space Operations wings.

Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology | Posner Hall 386 5000 Forbes Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15213 US

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