Bridging the gap: New Zealand's Chief Defence Scientist on innovation, sovereignty and AI

David Galligan is Chief Defence Scientist and head of Defence Science & Technology with the New Zealand Defence Force. He was a keynote speaker at the recent ADSTAR Summit, held by the Defence Science and Technology Group, which hosted STW as podcast partner.

David explains how his team sits between military operators and the technology creators in industry, universities and research institutes, acting as a bridge with ideas flowing in both directions. He also explains why that balance is shifting now that so much innovation happens in the private sector.

He talks about New Zealand's strengths, the balance between fundamental research and later-stage practical capabilities, the challenge of knowing where to concentrate your efforts, and his team's role in growing a sovereign industry in New Zealand. And of course, he gives his perspective on artificial intelligence.

It's been an extraordinary fortnight in AI, with major breakthroughs making the technology more powerful while the safeguards struggle to keep up. We'll be digging into all of it at ASPI's AI Masterclass on Monday 14 September. Check out the line-up on our website.