There's a common misconception that defense technology is purely an engineering problem. Build the fastest algorithm, deploy the most capable model, ship the most resilient hardware — and you win. But that's only half the story.
The other half is design.
Why design matters in defense
When you're building autonomous systems that operate in high-stakes environments, every interface decision carries weight. A misread signal, a confusing layout, a poorly timed notification — these aren't just usability issues. They're operational risks.
Good design in defense means:
- Clarity under pressure. Operators need to understand complex information instantly. There's no time for a learning curve.
- Trust in autonomy. If a human can't understand what an AI system is doing and why, they can't trust it. And if they can't trust it, they won't use it.
- Speed of decision. The interface should reduce cognitive load, not add to it. Every second counts.
The gap between Silicon Valley and defense
Most design practices were shaped by consumer tech — optimizing for engagement, retention, conversion. Defense inverts these priorities entirely. You're not designing for time-on-screen. You're designing for the fastest possible time-to-decision.
This requires a fundamentally different design mindset. One that prioritizes information density over aesthetics, reliability over delight, and predictability over novelty.
The best defense interface is one the operator forgets they're using.
What I've learned
Working at the intersection of AI and defense has taught me that design isn't a layer you add on top. It's a structural decision that shapes how humans and machines work together.
The systems we build are only as good as the decisions they enable. And decisions are shaped by design.