Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to address the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting on Wednesday morning. The event, which includes acting Army Secretary Adam Telle and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, is expected to center on the future of autonomous warfare and the broader modernization of the U.S. military.

This appearance comes during a period of significant transition within the Pentagon, characterized by recent leadership shake-ups. The discussion is framed around the military’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced technology, specifically under the umbrella of Project initiatives. While the event is intended to highlight strategic shifts in defense capabilities, it occurs against a backdrop of administrative changes that have drawn attention to the current stability and direction of the Department of Defense. The panel will likely address how these leadership transitions might impact the timeline and implementation of autonomous systems within the armed forces.