Government AI Models Advancing, Increasing Productivity

Sept. 30, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

The War Department is working with industry partners to deploy the latest and greatest American artificial intelligence models and platforms, officials said today during GenAI.mil Excite Day at the Pentagon. 

Some 1.7 million users are currently using artificial intelligence within the department, said Deya Banisakher, acting director for Frontier AI at the Chief Digital Artificial Intelligence Office and program manager for GenAI.mil.

Banisakher and others spoke today during GenAI.mil Excite Day at the Pentagon. 

Some 1.7 million users are currently using artificial intelligence within the department, Banisakher said. Everyone with a common access card can access Google's Gemini, Starshield AI's Grok for Government and OpenAI's ChatGPT Mil. 

"We've recently gotten closer and closer to parity with commercial models and platforms, where we started releasing models on the same day as public releases," Banisakher said. 

The models are increasing productivity throughout the department.  

"People are able to research, summarize and extract information from droves of data that they previously couldn't do," he said, adding that AI is saving billions of man-hours. 

Warfighters can code applications on the fly. It's aiding graphic designers, operations research, acquisition and finance professionals, as well as warfighters across the services, he said. 

For example, within the Navy, Banisakher said a project would take developers two to three years to code manually, costing upward of $10 million. However, three Navy developers recently used GenAI.mil to modernize that coding in 30 days. 

The goal is to accelerate AI adoption throughout the department by putting the right tools and platforms in warfighters' hands and plugging into their workflows at all classification levels. 

The next step will be putting AI on the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network and on the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System. 

Jonathan Buchanan, the authorizing official for the GenAI.mil platforms, said the three AI platforms soft-launched to ensure they could be scaled for the department and be monitored for security and performance.  

"I think we're just scratching the surface with what is totally possible with these platforms. I feel like we are headed in a very good trajectory with how these platforms directly affect the warfighter and the capabilities that will bring to bear in the future," he said. 

Gerard Connolly, a Starshield AI Grok for Government technician, said that as large language model databases improve over time, AI will become even more useful and powerful. 

Grok focuses on four things, Connolly said. It can create teams and share work. Automations in Grok have been trained to do certain tasks and provide timely updates. Grok's projects mode lets teams upload files, collaborate within a workspace and train others on those files. The AI platform's skills mode rapidly generates recurring administrative documents like executive summaries and battlefield updates. 

More than 300,000 people in the department have been using Grok since it launched last month, and Connolly said he expects that number to rise. 

ChatGPT Mil launched concurrently and is seeing similar numbers. 

"We are excited because that tells us that the users are not only sort of onboarding but are staying, and they're finding value in the product that we have," said Jonathan Bal, lead for the War Department portfolio at OpenAI. 

Bal added that as AI is integrated into workflows, the hope is that it accelerates warfighter productivity. 

Gemini for Government, which launched in December 2025, was the first AI platform deployed throughout the department. Joshua Marcuse, director of defense strategy at Google Public Sector, said the workforce uses it for tasks such as coding, designing chips, recruiting, hiring, promotions, retention, finance, cybersecurity and detecting insider threats. 

Marcuse said national security is a passion for people at Google Public Sector, adding, "We're so proud to serve this mission." 

Department of War Launches Starshield AI's Grok for Government on GenAI.mil

Aug. 31, 2026 |

The Department of War today launched Starshield AI's Grok for Government, expanding the suite of frontier AI capabilities on GenAI.mil, the Department's premier generative AI platform. Accredited for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) at Impact Level 5 (IL5), Starshield AI's Grok for Government is engineered for secure, consistent enterprise use.

Starshield AI's Grok for Government will provide the warfighter with immediate productivity gains, stronger knowledge continuity and more secure and efficient collaboration. By bringing Starshield AI's Grok to GenAI.mil, Department personnel will gain access to advanced capabilities, including deep-thinking inference, adaptive reasoning modes (Auto, Fast, and Expert), customizable workspaces, persistent projects and reusable "playbooks" that capture and scale institutional knowledge. Starshield AI's Grok for Government enables the Joint Force to execute missions faster and with greater precision across numerous operational contexts, ranging from market research analysis for acquisition professionals to supply chain management for logisticians.

This deployment marks another major milestone in the Department's AI Acceleration Strategy and advances one of its core tenets, enterprise AI applications. Since its launch nine months ago, GenAI.mil has already onboarded over 1.7 million unique users out of the Department's more than 3 million personnel. The addition of Starshield AI's Grok for Government to GenAI.mil provides another top-tier generative AI tool for warfighter advantage, eliminating vendor lock and promoting a vibrant American AI ecosystem.

Through the Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO) and the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, the Department will continue to scale frontier AI as a force multiplier across the Joint Force. This launch supports the White House's AI Action Plan and reinforces the Department of War's commitment to leading the adoption of AI for warfighter mission sets and decision superiority.

Department of War Launches OpenAI's ChatGPT Mil on GenAI.mil

Aug. 31, 2026 |

The Department of War today launched OpenAI's ChatGPT Mil, marking it as the next frontier AI capability housed on GenAI.mil, the Department's premier generative AI platform. This milestone represents the adoption phase of an enterprise partnership established between the Department and OpenAI in 2025. Accredited for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) at Impact Level 5 (IL5), ChatGPT Mil is engineered for secure, consistent enterprise use.

ChatGPT Mil brings a familiar commercial experience into the Department's secure environment, tailored to warfighter needs. The core experience centers on chat, files, projects, and custom GPTs, with additional features sequenced over time. ChatGPT Mil supports document-heavy unclassified work across the Department, including planning, policy, logistics, and administration, and is built for scale to support more than 3 million Department personnel. This deployment accelerates routine tasks and frees up time for more critical projects across the Joint Force. Integrating ChatGPT Mil into GenAI.mil alongside existing frontier AI capabilities establishes a robust, multi-model ecosystem for the warfighter. 

Through the Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO) and the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, the Department will continue scaling frontier AI as a force multiplier across the Joint Force. This launch supports the White House's AI Action Plan and reinforces the Department of War's commitment to leading the adoption of AI for warfighter mission sets and decision superiority.

The Role of AI in Modern Warfare and Intelligence Gathering

Artificial intelligence has rapidly become one of the most transformative forces in modern warfare and intelligence operations. No longer limited to experimental systems, AI is now embedded in real-world military decision-making, surveillance, and combat operations. As global conflicts evolve into data-driven environments, the ability to process, interpret, and act on vast amounts of information has become a decisive advantage. The integration of AI into military systems is reshaping how wars are fought, how intelligence is gathered, and how strategic decisions are made, fundamentally altering the nature of conflict in the twenty-first century.

One of the most significant contributions of AI to modern warfare is its ability to accelerate decision-making. Traditional intelligence analysis required human analysts to sift through massive volumes of data from satellites, drones, communications intercepts, and other sources. AI systems now perform this task at unprecedented speed, identifying patterns and threats that would otherwise go unnoticed. In recent U.S. military operations, AI has been used to process large datasets and generate actionable insights, significantly shortening the decision cycle for commanders (Medill on the Hill, 2026). This acceleration allows military leaders to respond more quickly to emerging threats, giving them a strategic advantage in fast-moving conflict environments.

Closely tied to decision-making is AI’s role in intelligence gathering. Modern intelligence operations rely heavily on the integration of multiple data sources, including geospatial imagery, signals intelligence, and open-source information. AI systems such as the U.S. military’s Maven Smart System are designed to analyze this data, identify targets, and prioritize them based on strategic importance (Brennan Center for Justice, 2026). These systems can scan vast amounts of information from satellites, drones, and even social media, enabling analysts to detect patterns of behavior, locate individuals or equipment, and anticipate enemy actions. This capability transforms intelligence from a reactive process into a predictive one, allowing militaries to anticipate threats before they fully materialize.

AI is also playing a critical role in battlefield operations. Autonomous and semi-autonomous systems, including drones and unmanned vehicles, are increasingly used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat missions. These systems rely on AI to navigate complex environments, identify targets, and adapt to changing conditions in real time. Recent developments in counter-drone technology demonstrate how AI can be used defensively as well as offensively, with systems capable of detecting and intercepting enemy drones efficiently and at lower cost (Business Insider, 2026). In addition, AI-powered platforms are being developed to coordinate swarms of drones, enhancing their effectiveness and complicating enemy defenses.

Another important application of AI is in logistics and operational support. Military operations depend on the efficient movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies, often under challenging conditions. AI systems are used to optimize logistics by predicting equipment failures, managing supply chains, and improving maintenance schedules. These capabilities enhance operational readiness and reduce costs, allowing militaries to sustain prolonged operations more effectively. AI-driven logistics systems also contribute to mission planning by simulating different scenarios and identifying the most efficient courses of action.

Cybersecurity and information warfare represent another domain where AI has become indispensable. Modern conflicts increasingly involve cyber operations aimed at disrupting communication networks, stealing sensitive information, or spreading disinformation. AI enhances both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities by detecting anomalies, identifying vulnerabilities, and responding to threats in real time. At the same time, AI is being used to generate and analyze digital propaganda, shaping public perception and influencing political outcomes. As a result, the battlefield now extends beyond physical space into the digital domain, where information itself becomes a weapon.

Despite its advantages, the use of AI in warfare raises significant ethical and strategic concerns. One of the most pressing issues is the potential for autonomous weapons systems to make life-and-death decisions without human intervention. While military leaders emphasize that humans remain “in the loop,” the increasing reliance on AI for targeting and decision-making raises questions about accountability and control (The Wall Street Journal, 2026). There is also the risk of unintended escalation, as AI systems operating at high speed may respond to threats in ways that humans cannot easily predict or control. Additionally, the use of AI in surveillance raises concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of data.

The integration of AI into warfare also has broader implications for global security. As more nations develop and deploy AI-enabled systems, the risk of an arms race increases. Countries are investing heavily in AI technologies to gain a strategic edge, leading to rapid advancements and increased competition (U.S. Army War College, 2025). This competition may lower the threshold for conflict, as states seek to demonstrate technological superiority or respond to perceived threats. At the same time, the proliferation of AI technologies raises the possibility that non-state actors could gain access to advanced capabilities, further complicating the security landscape.

In conclusion, artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming modern warfare and intelligence gathering. By accelerating decision-making, enhancing intelligence analysis, and enabling new forms of combat and cyber operations, AI provides significant advantages to those who can effectively harness it. However, these advancements come with substantial risks, including ethical dilemmas, potential loss of human control, and increased global instability. As AI continues to evolve, its role in warfare will likely expand, making it essential for policymakers, military leaders, and society as a whole to carefully consider how this powerful technology is used. The future of warfare will not be defined solely by weapons or troops, but by algorithms, data, and the ability to turn information into action.

References

Brennan Center for Justice. (2026). The military’s use of AI, explained.

Business Insider. (2026). U.S. Army surged largest counter-drone training deployment in the Middle East.

Medill on the Hill. (2026). Data and decisions: AI is changing how the military operates.

U.S. Army War College. (2025). Artificial intelligence’s growing role in modern warfare.

The Wall Street Journal. (2026). U.S. forces employ AI every single day in Iran operation.