The Defense Department has realigned its Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) to report directly to the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)). This strategic move supports the Pentagon’s commitment to an “AI-first” approach, aiming to accelerate AI innovation from research labs to operational deployment.
A defense official explained that placing the CDAO under USD(R&E) creates a unified innovation hub capable of advancing AI capabilities swiftly and effectively for national defense.
Since its establishment in 2021 through merging several digital and AI-focused entities, the CDAO has led key initiatives like the Tradewind Solution Marketplace and the Pentagon’s Data, Analytics, and AI Adoption Strategy. While the precise changes to the CDAO’s internal structure remain unclear, officials assure that all statutory duties will continue uninterrupted during this transition.
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