Ghost in the Machine: What AI Inherited and Why It Matters with Valerie Veatch

Ghost in the Machine: What AI Inherited and Why It Matters with Valerie Veatch

As artificial intelligence accelerates, questions about its origins—and underlying assumptions—are becoming harder to ignore. This week, Elisa sits down with filmmaker Valerie Veatch to explore her latest documentary, Ghost in the Machine, which traces the intellectual roots of AI back to the eugenics movement. Together, they examine how these early ideologies may still echo in today’s AI systems, what it means for a workforce increasingly shaped by automation, and how unchecked technological progress can lead to unintended consequences. Valerie Veatch is a writer, director, and producer of documentary films, including Me @ the Zoo, Love Child, and her latest release, Ghost in the Machine [https://notaidoc.com/trailer]. References: * McQuillan, Dan. Resisting AI: An Anti-fascist Approach to Artificial Intelligence. Bristol University Press, 2022. [https://www.amazon.com/Resisting-AI-Anti-fascist-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1529213509] * Bender, Emily M., and Alex Hanna. The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want. Harper, 2025. [https://www.amazon.com/AI-Fight-Techs-Create-Future/dp/0063418568] * Becker, Adam. More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity. Basic Books, 2025. [https://www.amazon.com/More-Everything-Forever-Overlords-Humanity/dp/1541619595] * Sacks, David O., and Peter Thiel. The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus. Independent Institute, 1998. [https://www.amazon.com/Diversity-Myth-Multiculturalism-Political-Intolerance/dp/0945999763] * “Q-Day Just Got Closer: Three Papers in Three Months Are Rewriting the Quantum Threat Timeline.” The Quantum Insider, 31 Mar. 2026 [https://thequantuminsider.com/2026/03/31/q-day-just-got-closer-three-papers-in-three-months-are-rewriting-the-quantum-threat-timeline/]

Iran’s Cyber Playbook: Attacks, Proxies, and Civilian Impact with Ricoh Danielson

When cyberattacks target hospitals, infrastructure, and everyday systems, the line between battlefield and civilian life begins to blur. This week, Elisa is joined by Ricoh Danielson, a cybersecurity expert, U.S. Army veteran, and CEO of 1st Responder Cyber, to unpack Iran’s expanding cyber operations and what they reveal about modern warfare. Drawing on recent attacks and long-standing tactics, they examine how Iran uses cyber tools to project power, exploit both human and technical vulnerabilities, and disrupt essential services. Ricoh [http://services.Ricoh] Danielson [https://www.ricohd.us/about] is a U.S. Army combat veteran, digital forensics expert, cybersecurity leader, and CEO of 1st Responder Cyber. [https://www.1strespondercyber.com/] References: NSLT, Ep. 416, "The Drone Disruption: How Autonomous Systems Are Reshaping the Battlefield with Dawn Zoldi". April 14 2026. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-security-law-today/id1276946676?i=1000761367303]

The Drone Disruption: How Autonomous Systems Are Reshaping the Battlefield with Dawn Zoldi

What happens when weapons that cost a few thousand dollars can rival—and even outmaneuver—systems worth millions? This week, Elisa is joined by Dawn Zoldi, a retired Air Force Colonel, attorney, and founder of P3 Tech Consulting, to break down the rapid rise of drone warfare and its growing impact on global conflict. Drawing on examples from Ukraine, Iran, and across the Middle East, they explore how inexpensive drones are transforming military strategy, how AI is reshaping their capabilities, and what it means for those operating far from the battlefield. From swarm technology to legal accountability, the conversation also looks ahead—examining how autonomous drone systems could reshape private sector and industrial roles, taking on tasks once considered too dangerous, costly, or complex for humans. Dawn Zoldi [https://www.p3techconsulting.com/about] is a retired Air Force Colonel, licensed attorney, CEO & Founder of P3 Tech Consulting, Publisher of Autonomy Global and an internationally recognized expert on uncrewed aircraft system law and policy. Autonomy Global [https://www.autonomyglobal.co/] is the leading digital media platform providing cutting-edge insights on autonomous technologies, featuring the latest news, industry trends, policies and expert analysis on dual-use drones, eVTOLs, robotics, space, maritime and enabling technologies worldwide. References: * Tune in to the Dawn of Autonomy Podcast [https://www.autonomyglobal.co/podcast-category/autonomy/] * Subscribe to the Autonomy Global Newsletter [https://www.autonomyglobal.co/newsletter/] * Article: Zoldi, Dawn. “Burning Down the Miracles: Inside Skunk Works’ Next Long-Range Kill Chain Breakthroughs.” Autonomy Global, 26 Feb. 2026 [http://autonomyglobal.co/burning-down-the-miracles-inside-skunk-works-next-long-range-kill-chain-breakthroughs/] * NSLT Ep. 123, "Drones in the Pandemic with Dawn Zoldi". May 7 2020. [https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_national_security/nslt/20200507-drones-in-the-pandemic-with-dawn-zoldi/] * U.S. Department of War Statement on DJI Systems [https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2706082/department-statement-on-dji-systems/] * The Law of Armed Conflict Overview [https://www.icrc.org/sites/default/files/external/doc/en/assets/files/other/law1_final.pdf] * The Rules of Engagement (ROE) Overview [https://sites.duke.edu/lawfire/files/2020/10/ROEOperational-Law-Handbook-2020.pdf] * XPONENTIAL 2026 – May 11th-14th in Detroit, MI [https://xponential.org/]

Assessing the War with Iran: Military Policy and Legal Perspectives

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has paused active hostilities—but major questions remain about what comes next. This week, we feature a recent live panel discussion, “Assessing the War with Iran: Military Policy and Legal Perspectives,” co-hosted by the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security and Syracuse University’s Institute for Security Policy and Law. Moderated by Judge James Baker and featuring retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett and Elisa Ewers, the panel examines the strategic, legal, and economic dimensions of the conflict. Recorded just prior to the ceasefire, the conversation explores U.S. military objectives, the legal authorities underpinning action, potential exit strategies, and the broader global implications of escalation in the region. Introductions by Stephen Preston [https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/people/stephen-preston], Chair of the ABAs Standing Committee on Law and National Security and Partner at WilmerHale Moderated by Judge James Baker [https://drive.google.com/file/d/15RfUmaUS7Ja9zfKOUhLU1AezJEyPcFMp/view?usp=sharing], Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law and a Professor of Law at Syracuse University Robert Murrett [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EwT1qX7wd8zGEIZJGou6CPcmT2_4Y3k1/view?usp=sharing] is Deputy Director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University Elisa Ewers [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1scXxC5G_ONaUspPH_45Og1jOQBAZskmS/view?usp=sharing] is a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at RAND and the Center for a New American Security References: ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security Webpage [https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_national_security/]

Iran’s Cyber Front: Where Digital and Physical War Converge with Matt Suiche

As the conflict with Iran evolves, cyber capabilities are proving just as consequential as traditional military force. This week, Elisa sits down with Matt Suiche, founder of OnDB and a former hacker, to examine how cyber operations shape intelligence gathering, targeting, and real-time decision-making in modern conflict. Together, they explore the vulnerabilities of AI systems, the physical risks to critical infrastructure like data centers and undersea cables, and what these emerging threats reveal about the limits of technology in high-stakes warfare. Matt Suiche [https://www.msuiche.com/] is a cybersecurity researcher and founder of OnDB Inc. [https://www.ondb.ai/], a data infrastructure startup for the agentic economy. References: * NSLT Episode: Elemental Power: Mining, Markets, and the Critical Minerals Challenge with Tommy Beaudreau (Part 1). Feb 18 2025 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-security-law-today/id1276946676?i=1000693712465] * NSLT Episode: Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat: The Laws of the Sea with Matt Dianni (Part 1). Jan. 13 2022 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-security-law-today/id1276946676?i=1000547797464] * NSLT Episode: Profiting from Polarization: The Economics of America’s Culture War. Nov. 26 2025 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-security-law-today/id1276946676?i=1000738537515] * The New York Times. "Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial." 25 Mar. 2026 [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/technology/social-media-trial-verdict.html]