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Jan 2, 2019 · 15m · a16z

a16z Podcast | Government, Startups, & Innovation -- with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

Ash Carter · 11m spoken Sonal Chokshi · 2m spoken
0:00 / 0:00
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gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

In this episode of the a16z podcast, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter discusses modernizing military technology adoption through Silicon Valley partnerships, introducing initiatives like DIUx, new national cybersecurity frameworks, and dual-use innovations like the 'GPS of Things'.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. The host holds 19.5% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

The host as informed peer 3.4 Guest teaching 2.8 Guest disagreement 0.0 The host pushing back 0.0
05100:0010:002:24–4:42 · The host as informed peer 3/10 The Changing DoD Role in the Commercial Tech Ecosystem Sonal asks how the DoD fits into a commercial tech ecosystem where government handles 50% of R&D. Ash Carter explains the shift from the old 'spin-off' model to DoD acting as a devourer of outside IT, while Sonal provides brief supportive clarifying remarks.4:42–7:04 · The host as informed peer 2/10 Lowering Bureaucratic Barriers and Creating DIUx Sonal asks how startups can reach the DoD as an IT buyer. Carter candidly admits the DoD became slow and stodgy, explaining the intent behind creating DIUx to bridge the gap with Silicon Valley.7:04–9:09 · The host as informed peer 5/10 Balancing Basic Research and Achieving 'Animal Proximity' Sonal draws on her professional background at PARC to ask an informed question about applied R&D versus basic research. Carter praises the question and emphasizes the need for 'animal proximity' between innovators and users.9:09–12:07 · The host as informed peer 3/10 Cybersecurity Threats and the DoD's Dual Defensive Role Sonal brings up cybersecurity post-RSA, and Carter outlines industry's underinvestment before detailing the DoD's dual role in innovation and deterrence. Sonal helpfully synthesizes Carter's points into tech terminology like 'offensive toolkit'.12:07–15:06 · The host as informed peer 4/10 Cyber Priorities: Automated Threat Sharing and Interactive Defense Sonal prompts for specific cyber domains, leading Carter to highlight threat-sharing and interactive defense. Carter uses the Edward Snowden leak as a self-critical example of insider threat failures, while Sonal summarizes technical concepts like intrusion detection.2:24–4:42 · Guest teaching 3/10 The Changing DoD Role in the Commercial Tech Ecosystem Sonal asks how the DoD fits into a commercial tech ecosystem where government handles 50% of R&D. Ash Carter explains the shift from the old 'spin-off' model to DoD acting as a devourer of outside IT, while Sonal provides brief supportive clarifying remarks.4:42–7:04 · Guest teaching 2/10 Lowering Bureaucratic Barriers and Creating DIUx Sonal asks how startups can reach the DoD as an IT buyer. Carter candidly admits the DoD became slow and stodgy, explaining the intent behind creating DIUx to bridge the gap with Silicon Valley.7:04–9:09 · Guest teaching 2/10 Balancing Basic Research and Achieving 'Animal Proximity' Sonal draws on her professional background at PARC to ask an informed question about applied R&D versus basic research. Carter praises the question and emphasizes the need for 'animal proximity' between innovators and users.9:09–12:07 · Guest teaching 3/10 Cybersecurity Threats and the DoD's Dual Defensive Role Sonal brings up cybersecurity post-RSA, and Carter outlines industry's underinvestment before detailing the DoD's dual role in innovation and deterrence. Sonal helpfully synthesizes Carter's points into tech terminology like 'offensive toolkit'.12:07–15:06 · Guest teaching 4/10 Cyber Priorities: Automated Threat Sharing and Interactive Defense Sonal prompts for specific cyber domains, leading Carter to highlight threat-sharing and interactive defense. Carter uses the Edward Snowden leak as a self-critical example of insider threat failures, while Sonal summarizes technical concepts like intrusion detection.2:24–4:42 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Changing DoD Role in the Commercial Tech Ecosystem Sonal asks how the DoD fits into a commercial tech ecosystem where government handles 50% of R&D. Ash Carter explains the shift from the old 'spin-off' model to DoD acting as a devourer of outside IT, while Sonal provides brief supportive clarifying remarks.4:42–7:04 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Lowering Bureaucratic Barriers and Creating DIUx Sonal asks how startups can reach the DoD as an IT buyer. Carter candidly admits the DoD became slow and stodgy, explaining the intent behind creating DIUx to bridge the gap with Silicon Valley.7:04–9:09 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Balancing Basic Research and Achieving 'Animal Proximity' Sonal draws on her professional background at PARC to ask an informed question about applied R&D versus basic research. Carter praises the question and emphasizes the need for 'animal proximity' between innovators and users.9:09–12:07 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Cybersecurity Threats and the DoD's Dual Defensive Role Sonal brings up cybersecurity post-RSA, and Carter outlines industry's underinvestment before detailing the DoD's dual role in innovation and deterrence. Sonal helpfully synthesizes Carter's points into tech terminology like 'offensive toolkit'.12:07–15:06 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Cyber Priorities: Automated Threat Sharing and Interactive Defense Sonal prompts for specific cyber domains, leading Carter to highlight threat-sharing and interactive defense. Carter uses the Edward Snowden leak as a self-critical example of insider threat failures, while Sonal summarizes technical concepts like intrusion detection.2:24–4:42 · The host pushing back 0/10 The Changing DoD Role in the Commercial Tech Ecosystem Sonal asks how the DoD fits into a commercial tech ecosystem where government handles 50% of R&D. Ash Carter explains the shift from the old 'spin-off' model to DoD acting as a devourer of outside IT, while Sonal provides brief supportive clarifying remarks.4:42–7:04 · The host pushing back 0/10 Lowering Bureaucratic Barriers and Creating DIUx Sonal asks how startups can reach the DoD as an IT buyer. Carter candidly admits the DoD became slow and stodgy, explaining the intent behind creating DIUx to bridge the gap with Silicon Valley.7:04–9:09 · The host pushing back 0/10 Balancing Basic Research and Achieving 'Animal Proximity' Sonal draws on her professional background at PARC to ask an informed question about applied R&D versus basic research. Carter praises the question and emphasizes the need for 'animal proximity' between innovators and users.9:09–12:07 · The host pushing back 0/10 Cybersecurity Threats and the DoD's Dual Defensive Role Sonal brings up cybersecurity post-RSA, and Carter outlines industry's underinvestment before detailing the DoD's dual role in innovation and deterrence. Sonal helpfully synthesizes Carter's points into tech terminology like 'offensive toolkit'.12:07–15:06 · The host pushing back 0/10 Cyber Priorities: Automated Threat Sharing and Interactive Defense Sonal prompts for specific cyber domains, leading Carter to highlight threat-sharing and interactive defense. Carter uses the Edward Snowden leak as a self-critical example of insider threat failures, while Sonal summarizes technical concepts like intrusion detection.

speaking balance: gold is the host, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · the host 28.7% · guest 71.3%0:00 · the host 28.7% · guest 71.3%3:00 · the host 10.1% · guest 89.9%3:00 · the host 10.1% · guest 89.9%6:00 · the host 21.6% · guest 78.4%6:00 · the host 21.6% · guest 78.4%9:00 · the host 16.3% · guest 83.7%9:00 · the host 16.3% · guest 83.7%12:00 · the host 19.7% · guest 80.3%12:00 · the host 19.7% · guest 80.3%15:00 · the host 64.7% · guest 35.3%15:00 · the host 64.7% · guest 35.3%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 9:30 Challenging industry readiness on cyber threats

Carter forcefully criticizes private industry for failing to invest adequately in cyber protection over the past decade, calling them late to need.

 Hardest push from the host ▶ 13:53 Clarifying interactive defense concept

Sonal interrupts to clarify Carter's use of 'interactive defense', pushing him to explicitly define it as proactive internal monitoring rather than static perimeter defense.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 14:15 Explaining insider threats using the Snowden case

Carter educates the audience and host on the severity of insider threats by using NSA's failure to catch Edward Snowden in real time as a sobering case study.

 The host holds their own ▶ 7:04 Demonstrating deep R&D context from PARC background

Sonal demonstrates domain expertise by drawing directly on her observations at PARC regarding DoD's shift toward application-oriented R&D, earning explicit praise from Carter.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicThe host as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementThe host pushing backWhy
The Changing DoD Role in the Commercial Tech Ecosystem 3300 Sonal asks how the DoD fits into a commercial tech ecosystem where government handles 50% of R&D. Ash Carter explains the shift from the old 'spin-off' model to DoD acting as a devourer of outside IT, while Sonal provides brief supportive clarifying remarks.
Lowering Bureaucratic Barriers and Creating DIUx 2200 Sonal asks how startups can reach the DoD as an IT buyer. Carter candidly admits the DoD became slow and stodgy, explaining the intent behind creating DIUx to bridge the gap with Silicon Valley.
Balancing Basic Research and Achieving 'Animal Proximity' 5200 Sonal draws on her professional background at PARC to ask an informed question about applied R&D versus basic research. Carter praises the question and emphasizes the need for 'animal proximity' between innovators and users.
Cybersecurity Threats and the DoD's Dual Defensive Role 3300 Sonal brings up cybersecurity post-RSA, and Carter outlines industry's underinvestment before detailing the DoD's dual role in innovation and deterrence. Sonal helpfully synthesizes Carter's points into tech terminology like 'offensive toolkit'.
Cyber Priorities: Automated Threat Sharing and Interactive Defense 4400 Sonal prompts for specific cyber domains, leading Carter to highlight threat-sharing and interactive defense. Carter uses the Edward Snowden leak as a self-critical example of insider threat failures, while Sonal summarizes technical concepts like intrusion detection.

Statements from this episode (11)

Prediction Didn’t hold up
DoD will soon stop launching traditional GPS satellites
“Pretty soon we'll, I won't be launching any more of those satellites.”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 2:18
Assertion Not checkable as stated
DoD acts primarily as a buyer of commercial tech
“In most cases in technology today, we, the Defense Department, we play the role in the ecosystem of a devourer of outside technology.”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 4:00
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Defense procurement favors bureaucratic skill over superior technology
“Companies that know how to deal with the bureaucracy have an advantage over ones that have the best technology.”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 5:18
Prediction Held up
DoD will maintain funding for risky basic research despite budget pressures
“I'm determined in this, we're doing this, that even in the time of budget pressure, sequester, and all that, that we keep our basic research funding going at a very brisk rate, that, that is things that are a real reach, that the commercial world won't invest …”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 7:36
Insight
Connecting innovators to end users requires physical proximity
“What you have to do is make sure that the innovators Are linked to the, ah, users and developers, and the only way to do that is what I call sort of animal proximity. They have to be, they have to have, know each other, be together enough.”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 8:24
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Global industry has underinvested in cyber defense for a decade
“First, industry is not, and I'm not sure I understand why, but for 10 years or so, as the cyber threat has been growing, industry around the world has not been investing adequately in its protection. They're beginning to do that now. And so people at the CEO l…”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 9:36
Prediction Held up
DoD-developed cybersecurity tech will spin off into the commercial market
“One is, we are going to be one of the innovators of new techniques, and we'll do them even if they're expensive, because we have to protect our networks. And so, just as in other Technologies where we have been willing to pay more for innovation and to do the …”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 10:28
Disclosure
DoD preparing counterattack framework against major cyberattacks on US firms
“We are also working on which combination of defense, intervention, and even counterattack In order to tell people that if they attack Americans in cyberspace, at a certain level, we're gonna regard that as an attack.”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 11:13
Insight
Passive firewall defense is obsolete for modern cybersecurity
“You can't be passive anymore in, in network defense. You can't just put firewalls around. It doesn't work. You have to patrol the walls and look for people who are drilling holes and people who are climbing over your wall.”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 13:39
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Security specialists fear insider threats above all else
“The insider threat really is the one that security specialists fear the most.”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 14:07
Assertion Supported
Edward Snowden exfiltrated NSA data undetected for months
“NSA, which is part of the Department of Defense, that's what Edward Snowden did. And he wasn't caught in the act over a period of months doing something that had no reasonable association with his job, ah, at all.”
Ash Carter Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 14:26
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