U.S. Pentagon CTO Narrows Critical Technology Focus to Six Areas with AI as a Top Priority

The U.S. Department of Defense has refocused its critical technology priorities down to six key areas, with artificial intelligence (AI) remaining a top strategic priority. Under Secretary for Research & Engineering Emil Michael, the Pentagon CTO, announced this significant strategic pruning of the technology portfolio, consolidating the previous list of 14 critical technology areas to sharpen focus on the most urgent and impactful innovations for the warfighter.

Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI) leads the list, encompassing AI applications ranging from business operations to direct battlefield support. This priority aligns with the White House AI Action Plan and signals the Pentagon’s ambition to operate as an “AI-First” organization, harnessing machine learning and AI-driven decision-making to maintain technological superiority amid global competition.

Other priority areas in the new list include Scaled Directed Energy, which accelerates the deployment of high-energy lasers and microwave beam weapons to counter emerging threats such as drone swarms and missile barrages. Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance focuses on advancing communication, navigation, and electromagnetic spectrum control to secure reliable operations in contested environments.

Contested Logistics Technologies recognize the critical need to sustain supply chains and military assets under increasingly complex and contested conditions, while Scaled Hypersonics emphasize fielding Mach 5+ weapons capable of rapid, precise strikes.

By condensing the list, the Pentagon aims to speed up research investment decisions, reduce fragmentation, and deliver tangible battlefield advantages sooner rather than later. Emil Michael emphasized that this refocused set of priorities ensures that U.S. forces “never face a fair fight” by maintaining decisive technological edge.

This strategic narrowing marks a decisive step in aligning the Department of Defense’s innovation efforts with real-world military exigencies, underscoring artificial intelligence as a central driver of future defense capabilities alongside advances in directed energy, quantum technology, and logistics.