Shawn Ryan Show #247 Brandon Tseng – Shield AI’s X-BAT: The First AI Fighter Jet to Outsmart Top Gun
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Oct 23, 2025 
Brandon Tseng, co-founder and president of Shield AI and a former Navy SEAL, reveals his journey from military service to leading a cutting-edge defense technology firm. He discusses the revolutionary capabilities of the X-BAT, the first AI fighter jet designed to surpass human pilots. Delving into his battlefield experiences, Tseng highlights how these shaped his vision for AI in warfare. He also predicts a future of autonomous swarms in combat, emphasizing the need for ethical AI in protecting service members while ensuring national security.
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Caribbean VBAT Drug Interdictions
- Brandon described VBAT operations with the U.S. Coast Guard that interdicted over half a billion dollars of cocaine in the Caribbean within weeks.
- He emphasized mission impact and pride in keeping drugs off U.S. streets.
First Deployment With DevGru Troop
- Brandon recounted augmenting SEAL Team 6 on his first deployment and learning ISR and targeting firsthand.
- He said that experience became a master class shaping Shield AI's mission focus.
Work Backward From A Bold Vision
- Build from a clear long-term vision and work backwards one step at a time when tackling huge technical problems.
- Start with problems you intimately understand to accelerate meaningful progress and adoption.