Transitioning from stealth operations to a prominent industry role, Mach Industries is integrating AI into one of the most intricate and debated fields: defense. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Ethan Thornton, the founder and CEO of Mach Industries, will take the AI Stage to discuss what it means to innovate in high-pressure settings where rapid response and independent action are key—and how reimagining core principles is essential for building future-ready infrastructure.
Exploring the AI arms race—and the entrepreneur determined to transform it
Thornton established Mach Industries, emerging from MIT in 2023, driven by a vision to create decentralized, advanced defense systems designed to protect global liberty. Now at the helm of one of the sector’s most forward-thinking startups, he’s infusing startup agility and AI-centric breakthroughs into a field traditionally ruled by established giants.
From a startup’s inception to real-world defense solutions
Mach Industries exemplifies a new generation showing that AI-driven companies can have significant influence in national security. This session will explore what that entails—from intelligent autonomous platforms and edge technologies to dual-purpose solutions merging commercial and defense applications. Thornton will address the challenges of investment, governance, and accountability where technology meets global affairs.
Image Credits:Slava Blazer Photography / Flickr (opens in a new window)AI goes beyond chatbots—reshaping the balance of power worldwide
As international tensions escalate and defense funding surges, this discussion delivers an up-to-the-minute perspective on how AI is transforming security, strategic planning, and national autonomy. Catch the session live on the AI Stage from October 27 to 29 at Moscone West, San Francisco. Sign up now to join over 10,000 startup and investor leaders—and save up to $668 before rates go up after September 26.
