Ten years ago, we founded Shield AI with a belief that artificial intelligence could help protect service members and civilians—and in doing so, make a meaningful contribution to global stability. Brandon had seen firsthand moments where AI-enabled autonomy could have made all the difference. We knew we could build something that would. 

At the time, there was no defense tech ecosystem. The prevailing wisdom in Silicon Valley was that you couldn’t scale in defense. Many investors told us our mission was a liability. One even offered funding on the condition we change it. We turned that offer down, knowing it might be our last shot. But doing the right thing mattered more. That decision has shaped every step of our journey since. 

We set out to build the world’s best AI pilot. Hivemind has now flown F-16s, executed advanced dogfighting maneuvers, and led multi-ship combat formations alongside human pilots. It’s been integrated onto a wide range of aircraft—from quadcopters to jet-powered drones—and has proven itself in GPS- and comms-denied environments. These accomplishments are redefining what’s possible with AI in aviation and influencing how militaries approach autonomy and air dominance. 

Just as important, we’ve made these capabilities accessible to others. The same tools we use to build and deploy autonomy—battle-tested, aircraft-agnostic, and platform-ready—are now available through Hivemind Enterprise. Engineers working at the intersection of autonomy and aerospace can now achieve ten times the output in a tenth of the time. What once took years now takes weeks. 

Shield AI has grown from three people in a room to more than 1,000 teammates building some of the most consequential technologies of this generation. Along the way, we’ve built a portfolio of products delivering real-world impact: V-BAT conducting strategic ISR and targeting missions across global theaters; Nova supporting special operations teams and hostage rescue missions; and ViDAR, the world’s leading passive wide-area maritime search system, providing unmatched situational awareness in complex environments. When customers tell us, “You saved our lives,” or “I couldn’t have done that mission without this,” it reminds us why we started this company in the first place. 

We’re proud of what we’ve built—but even more excited about what comes next. The next decade will define how autonomy shapes national security, deterrence, and the balance of power. Shield AI is positioned to lead that transformation. We are scaling rapidly, partnering globally, and staying relentlessly focused on the mission. 

To our teammates, customers, investors, and partners: thank you. You’ve helped us turn a bold idea into real-world impact. You’ve made this decade possible. 

The next ten years will be even harder—and even more important. Let’s keep building. 

Autonomy for the world. The greatest victory requires no war. 

—Ryan and Brandon Tseng 
 Co-Founders, Shield AI