The General & the Journalist The future of war, with U.S. General James Rainey
Aug 6, 2025
General James E. Rainey, head of the U.S. Army Futures Command, shares insights on the future of warfare. He discusses how AI and robotics are shaping military strategies, particularly in the context of Ukraine's innovative tactics. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of autonomous drones and the vital need for human oversight. Rainey emphasizes adaptation to rapid technological advancements and the importance of traditional warfare principles amidst evolving threats. The landscape of combat is changing, and he explores what that means for the soldiers of tomorrow.
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Civilian-Led Tech Hub Accelerates Change
- Army Futures Command pairs military leaders with large civilian STEM talent to accelerate transformation.
- Placing the HQ in Austin unlocked tech, university links, and easier industry access.
Measure By Capabilities, Not Processes
- Measure success by capability delivered to warfighters rather than timelines or internal metrics.
- Push for reduced timelines, more funding, and process fixes until soldiers actually have usable systems.
Data Layer Unlocks AI-Driven Decisions
- Data-centric command and control turns hardware integration into a software problem.
- Consolidated data layers unlock AI and much faster decision cycles for commanders.