The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the Pentagon is looking to Silicon Valley technology executives to help improve the military’s capabilities and lend their expertise.

Pentagon Chief Talent Officer Brint Parmeter said the executives will be enlisted as reservists in mid- to high-level positions and work with defense officials to strengthen the Pentagon’s cyber capabilities. Become. spoke In WSJ. As part of this effort, Mr. Palmator is tasked with finding individuals and organizations in Silicon Valley and other U.S. technology hubs. (Related: ‘A serious problem’: America’s most advanced weapons rely on Chinese technology, experts warn)

Palmator said this is to better prepare them to deal with a dynamic global threat environment. America’s adversaries, such as China, are leveraging the growing technology sector to rapidly evolve their military capabilities.

“We are building a talent industry base that will help solve national security problems and national security challenges for decades to come,” Parmeter told the Journal.

According to WSJ, Parameter is still working out details of the new plan, including which branch of the military the officers will be assigned to and what their positions will be.

Although reservists participate in regular training throughout the year, which would be expected of technical cadres as well, Parameta said they are unlikely to be deployed to the front lines of potential conflict. he pointed out.

“It’s not like, ‘Put down your keyboard and pick up your rifle,'” he told the Journal. Instead, technology executives will be tasked with a variety of cybersecurity and data analysis projects, Parameter said.

Palmator has already found one willing participant. Palantir Technologies’ Shyam Sankar said he would be “first on board” when the program is ready to launch. Palantir sells artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the Department of Defense and other Western governments.

According to WSJ, Mr. Sankar also helps Mr. Palmeta find talent throughout Silicon Valley.

Silicon Valley and the Department of Defense don’t typically have close ties. Many technology startups are wary of pitching to the Pentagon to help build weapons systems. And some typically seek jobs in the fast-moving private sector.

But amid global wars in the Middle East and Europe, a growing threat from China, and an opportunity to integrate AI and the military, things are starting to change, WSJ reports. In 2023, more than $35 billion in investment was poured into various venture-backed defense projects, up from $2 billion in 2013.

“Ten years ago, you would never lead off by saying, ‘I’m working with the Department of Defense,'” Palmator told the Journal.

The exact schedule for the program has not yet been determined, but Palmeter hopes to have it up and running by September of next year, according to the Journal. Our goal over the next few years is to hire thousands of technology executives.

“This new talent program will create opportunities for America’s elite technology leaders,” Sankar told WSJ.

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