Author Archive

Ben Watson

Senior Multimedia Editor

Ben Watson is senior multimedia editor at Defense One. Previously, he worked as a producer for NPR in Washington, D.C. And before that, he served for five years in the U.S. Army.

CIO Briefing

Trump Ousts Would-Be Acting Spy Chief

Deputy DNI Susan Gordon was statutorily required to be elevated after DNI Coats resigned in July.

By Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
August 9, 2019

Emerging Tech

AI: The Pros, Cons, and What To Really Fear

Dive into what's known so far about the new AI arms race — with a particular eye on U.S. and Chinese efforts — in a new special report.

By Ben Watson
March 31, 2018

CIO Briefing

3 Questions: Artificial Intelligence and the Military

AI has moved from the movies to the laboratory, and governments around the world want it in their arsenals. We asked how militaries define it, and how they intend to keep it under control.

By Ben Watson
August 28, 2017

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CIO Briefing

The US Army Just Ordered Soldiers to Stop Using Drones from China’s DJI

An Aug. 2 memo cites 'increased awareness of cyber vulnerabilities' with drones from China’s market-leading DJI.

By Ben Watson
August 4, 2017

CIO Briefing

The Drones of ISIS

Islamic State fighters are launching an ever-wider assortment of deadly drones, even as their UAV factories come under heavy attack.

By Ben Watson
January 12, 2017

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