The latest National Defense Authorization Act marks a concrete step in how the Department of Defense is beginning to define, assess, and manage the use of artificial intelligence across its operations. This week, Elisa Poteat is joined by Josh Geltzer, partner at WilmerHale and former Deputy Assistant to the President, to break down what the NDAA outlines when it comes to AI governance. Together, they walk through new assessment frameworks and workforce initiatives: what Congress included, what it left out, and what that reveals about how AI is taking shape inside the national security apparatus.

Joshua Geltzer is a Partner at WilmerHale, focusing on artificial intelligence, CFIUS, crisis management, cybersecurity and national security-related litigation.

References:

• The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Full Text)
• Geltzer, Joshua A., et al. “What the NDAA Means for AI and Cybersecurity.” WilmerHale, 19 Dec. 2025
• California SB-53 – Artificial intelligence models: large developers (Full Text)
• Geltzer, Joshua A., et al.“Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence: Act SB-53 California Requires New Standardized AI Safety Disclosures.” WilmerHale Privacy and Cybersecurity Law Blog, 1 Oct. 2025