#234 Tyler Xuan Saltsman: How AI is Shaping the Future of Combat & Warfare

In this episode of the Eye on AI podcast, Tyler Xuan Saltsman, CEO of Edgerunner, joins Craig Smith to explore how AI is reshaping military strategy, logistics, and defense technology—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in modern warfare.

Tyler shares the vision behind Edgerunner, a company at the cutting edge of generative AI for military applications. From logistics and mission planning to autonomous drones and battlefield intelligence, Edgerunner is building domain-specific AI that enhances decision-making, ensuring national security while keeping humans in control.

We dive into how AI-powered military agents work, including the LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation) model, which fine-tunes AI to think and act like military specialists—whether in logistics, aircraft maintenance, or real-time combat scenarios. Tyler explains how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and small language models allow warfighters to access mission-critical intelligence without relying on the internet, bringing real-time AI support directly to the battlefield.

Tyler also discusses the future of drone warfare—how AI-driven, vision-enabled drones can neutralize threats autonomously, reducing reliance on human pilots while increasing battlefield efficiency. With autonomous swarms, AI-powered kamikaze drones, and real-time situational awareness, the landscape of modern warfare is evolving fast.

Beyond combat, we explore AI’s role in security, including advanced weapons detection systems that can safeguard military bases, schools, and public spaces. Tyler highlights the urgent need for transparency in AI, contrasting Edgerunner’s open and auditable AI models with the black-box approaches of major tech companies.

Discover how AI is transforming military operations, from logistics to combat strategy, and what this means for the future of defense technology.

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00:00) Introduction – AI for the Warfighter

(01:34) How AI is Transforming Military Logistics(

04:44) Running AI on the Edge – No Internet Required

(06:49) AI-Powered Mission Planning & Risk Mitigation

(14:32) The Future of AI in Drone Warfare

(22:17) AI’s Role in Strategic Defense & Economic Warfare

(26:34) The U.S.-China AI Race – Are We Falling Behind?

(35:17) The Future of AI in Warfare