Mach Industries is emerging from stealth mode to take center stage, bringing artificial intelligence into one of the world’s most complex and controversial sectors: defense. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, CEO and founder Ethan Thornton will step onto the AI Stage to share what it takes to build in high-stakes environments where speed and autonomy matter most. He will explain why next-generation infrastructure starts with rethinking the fundamentals.
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. He now leads one of the most ambitious startups in the space, bringing startup speed and AI-native innovation to an industry long dominated by legacy players.
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, covering autonomous systems, edge computing, and dual-use technologies that blur the lines between commercial and military capability. Thornton will dig into the critical topics of funding, regulation, and responsibility at the intersection of technology and geopolitics.
With global tensions rising and defense investment accelerating, this conversation offers a timely look at how AI is reshaping security, strategy, and sovereignty. This session will take place live on the AI Stage from October 27 to 29 at Moscone West in San Francisco.