Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Contributing Editor, Breaking Defense

Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. has written for Breaking Defense since 2011 and served as deputy editor for the site's first decade, covering technology, strategy, and policy with a particular focus on the US Army. He’s now a contributing editor focused on cyber, robotics, AI, and other critical technologies and policies that will shape the future of warfare. Sydney began covering defense at National Journal magazine in 1997 and holds degrees from Harvard, Cambridge, and Georgetown.

Stories by Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

40-plus countries convening next week to thrash out ‘responsible AI’ for military use

40-plus countries convening next week to thrash out ‘responsible AI’ for military use
40-plus countries convening next week to thrash out ‘responsible AI’ for military use

The State Department hopes this will be the first of many annual meetings of the countries that signed on to the US “Political Declaration” on military AI last year, sharing model policies and best practices on everything from combat robots to back-office algorithms.

Radha Plumb named new Pentagon CDAO as Martell exits in April

Radha Plumb named new Pentagon CDAO as Martell exits in April
Radha Plumb named new Pentagon CDAO as Martell exits in April

Plumb, the current deputy under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, has held high-powered jobs from Google to the National Security Council.

‘I’m disappointed’: Pentagon CIO cybersecurity chief asks industry, where’s my AI?

‘I’m disappointed’: Pentagon CIO cybersecurity chief asks industry, where’s my AI?
‘I’m disappointed’: Pentagon CIO cybersecurity chief asks industry, where’s my AI?

“I love AI. I want lots of AI,” Dave McKeown told Breaking Defense. But, so far, neither government nor industry has developed artificial intelligence that can really help with cybersecurity.

Shyu: Budget gridlock hamstrings Pentagon’s tech fast-track programs like RDER, APFIT

Shyu: Budget gridlock hamstrings Pentagon’s tech fast-track programs like RDER, APFIT
Shyu: Budget gridlock hamstrings Pentagon’s tech fast-track programs like RDER, APFIT

“On an annual basis, we have a CR, half the year’s gone,” the undersecretary for Research & Engineering said. “Our adversary doesn’t have the same constraints.”

New Air Force Vice Chief has ‘passion’ for better data, wants industry help

New Air Force Vice Chief has ‘passion’ for better data, wants industry help
New Air Force Vice Chief has ‘passion’ for better data, wants industry help

Recently confirmed Gen. Jim Slife pledged to work on sharing data not only inside the Air Force but with his counterparts at the other armed services.

How GIDE grows: AI battle network experiments are expanding to Army, allies and industry

How GIDE grows: AI battle network experiments are expanding to Army, allies and industry
How GIDE grows: AI battle network experiments are expanding to Army, allies and industry

2023’s Global Information Dominance Experiments were a race to field a “minimum viable” version of CJADC2. The 2024 GIDEs will open up to more input from the services, the Five Eyes allies, and a wide range of contractors.

Brute force: Russia ‘doubled down’ on often-crude disinformation in 2023, says report

Brute force: Russia ‘doubled down’ on often-crude disinformation in 2023, says report
Brute force: Russia ‘doubled down’ on often-crude disinformation in 2023, says report

With official outlets like RT and Sputnik kicked out of many Western countries, Moscow now emphasizes social media — exploiting TikTok, X, and the explosion in generative AI, according to a new report.

First version of all-service battle network is ‘real and ready now’: Hicks

First version of all-service battle network is ‘real and ready now’: Hicks
First version of all-service battle network is ‘real and ready now’: Hicks

“The Minimum Viable Capability for CJADC2 [Combined Joint All Domain Command & Control] is real and ready now,” said Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks. “It’s low latency and extremely reliable.” But budget gridlock blocks deployment.

‘Fight tonight’ vs ‘Getting it right’: CDAO’s Martell wants to build AI to last

‘Fight tonight’ vs ‘Getting it right’: CDAO’s Martell wants to build AI to last
‘Fight tonight’ vs ‘Getting it right’: CDAO’s Martell wants to build AI to last

The US military can quickly kludge together custom solutions for urgent problems, said Pentagon AI chief Craig Martell. But it needs a more systematic approach to turn those quick hacks into stable, enduring AIs that can actually talk to each other.

The revolution that wasn’t: How AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)

The revolution that wasn’t: How AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)
The revolution that wasn’t: How AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)

Last fall, both Russia and Ukraine boasted of fielding drones that tracked targets using AI algorithms. Now new expert analysis suggests that neither side got it to work well enough for war — but the US and China might.

‘Constant stare’: US Pacific commander wants AI to tell Chinese military exercises from invasion

‘Constant stare’: US Pacific commander wants AI to tell Chinese military exercises from invasion
‘Constant stare’: US Pacific commander wants AI to tell Chinese military exercises from invasion

With Chinese wargames growing ever larger and more realistic, Adm. Sam Paparo said traditional intelligence “indications and warning” can’t tell if they’re just practicing or actually about to invade Taiwan. His solution: surveillance drones feeding AI analysis.

Empowered edge versus the centralization trap: Who will wield AI better, the US or China?

Empowered edge versus the centralization trap: Who will wield AI better, the US or China?
Empowered edge versus the centralization trap: Who will wield AI better, the US or China?

It’s tempting to use AI to micromanage military operations from an all-seeing HQ. But experts warn the chaos of war means AI is best used to empower decentralized initiative — an area where the democratic West just might have the edge.

China’s investing billions in quantum R&D, but is Beijing making some bad bets?

China’s investing billions in quantum R&D, but is Beijing making some bad bets?
China’s investing billions in quantum R&D, but is Beijing making some bad bets?

The US and China are racing to develop quantum technologies. But each superpower is emphasizing different applications of the same fundamental science, and some American experts think a couple of Beijing’s top priorities may be dead ends.

Quantum: Pentagon must jumpstart 3 key applications, urges AFA

Quantum: Pentagon must jumpstart 3 key applications, urges AFA
Quantum: Pentagon must jumpstart 3 key applications, urges AFA

Tech giants and venture capitalists are pouring billions into developing quantum computers. But related tech of special interest to the military — quantum sensing, navigation and communications — needs stepped-up federal funding, the Air Force Association says.

Page 1 of 9612345...96