On this month’s innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference Jan 27-28, 2026, in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, Dr Keith Dear, the founder and CEO of British AI firm Cassi, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the speed with which AI is evolving; how society and militaries need to prepare for an artificial general intelligence age; the importance of sovereign AI capability; role in military operations; importance of human control over autonomous weapons; and more. To learn more about the Apex conference, sponsorship and attendance opportunities please visit apexdefense.org