Fresh from winning top honors at the Army, Airforce and Navy Technology Excellence Awards, Virtualitics CEO Michael Amori shares how the company’s Caltech roots, mission-driven culture, and focus on explainable, user-centric AI are reshaping defense readiness. In this exclusive interview, Amori discusses overcoming the “Valley of Death” in defense tech adoption, the critical role of trust and transparency, and Virtualitics’ vision to deliver scalable, operationally impactful AI solutions for the U.S. military and beyond.
Global Defence Technology (GDT): First of all, congratulations on Virtualitics’ recent wins in both Innovation and Business Expansion at the Army, Airforce and Navy Technology Excellence Awards. How do these recognitions fit into your broader vision for the role of AI in defense?
Go deeper with GlobalData
Michael Amori: We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and it all stems from our roots at Caltech. Over time, we’ve found our stride delivering meaningful AI solutions to the DoD, Intelligence, and other Government agencies. The focus now isn’t on if AI should be used in military operations—but how fast and smart we can integrate it at scale. Military readiness has always been about having the right people and platforms in the right place at the right time and now we have a portfolio of proven AI solutions to support critical readiness missions.
GDT: Virtualitics has grown rapidly in a highly demanding sector. What aspects of your company culture or leadership philosophy do you think have been most instrumental in achieving this success?
Michael Amori: Not being afraid to take risks. Last year, we went all in on national security solutions, shifting focus based on the urgent need we saw in the DoD. Listening to customers guided that move. We also benefit from a board of advisors, each with over 30 years of service, who validate how our tech could’ve helped them when active. We take great pride in our work and our success comes from working closely with customers and building AI that truly supports defense and deterrence.
GDT: AI adoption in defense isn’t just a technical challenge. What organizational or cultural barriers have you encountered as you’ve worked to embed AI into military operations?
Michael Amori: It’s called the Valley of Death for a reason—breaking into defense isn’t easy. Coming from academia, we initially spoke a different language than our DoD partners. But over time, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with users helped us bridge that gap. Today, about 25% of our team has military or public sector experience, bringing critical insight to everything we do.
GDT: Trust is a recurring theme, especially as AI becomes more central to mission-critical decisions. How does Virtualitics approach the ethical dimensions of AI and build user confidence?
Michael Amori: Trust is a core pillar of our platform. It starts with transparency—users need to understand why the AI makes the decisions it does. We include many Explainable AI models and features, building user confidence that the system is grounded in robust, relevant data and always working in their best interest.
GDT: How has end-user feedback shaped your products?
Michael Amori: It’s been invaluable. Many on our team have sat in the roles that now use our tech. Their input helps refine everything—from UI simplicity to the KPIs that matter most. We’re constantly adapting to evolving regulatory and deployment environments, and customer feedback is central to that process. We take customer feedback seriously and ensure it’s incorporated into the product development process.
GDT: What sets Virtualitics apart in a competitive defense AI space?
Michael Amori: We differentiate ourselves through People, Precision, and Performance. Our team combines mission-experienced veterans with cutting-edge AI experts, bringing deep-rooted domain expertise that ensures we truly understand the environments our solutions serve. We apply best-of-breed AI technology with mission-aligned methodologies, enabling us to seamlessly integrate advanced analytics into critical domains. While other industry solutions provide insights relative to one of the critical readiness domains, we focus on providing a holistic solution that drives real operational impact. Lastly, our hallmark is speed and scale of delivery, ensuring our partners see value quickly and continuously in this dynamically changing environment.
GDT: How do you keep growth sustainable as you scale?
Michael Amori: Our executive team balances immediate priorities with a forward-looking strategy. We also learn from others who’ve navigated similar rapid growth, always refining our path.
GDT: Which trends will most shape the future of AI-driven decision intelligence in defense?
Michael Amori: Trust will be central for years. While other industries may adopt things like LLMs or AI Agents faster, the DoD must be more cautious given the mission-critical nature of their work. But the technology is evolving at a rate which I am confident can meet the challenge and we will see a host of new use cases emerge.
GDT: Are there plans to expand to allied or international defense forces?
Michael Amori: Yes—we’re already in early talks with international partners. We’re approaching this expansion carefully and will share more as it develops.
GDT: How does Virtualitics attract and retain top talent in such a competitive field?
Michael Amori: We lead with purpose. Our people are inspired by the mission and empowered by the real-world impact of their work. We invest in career development, offer access to cutting-edge tech, and foster collaboration with top minds across industry, AI and data science. With strong benefits, flexible work arrangements, and a culture of belonging, we create an environment where innovation thrives.
GDT: Reflecting on your journey, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned about operationalizing AI in defense?
Michael Amori: I learn every day—from customers, employees, our board, and investors. Early on, we built tech for its own sake. Now, we start with the pain points and build AI solutions to directly meet operational goals. That shift has made all the difference.
GDT: What’s your ultimate vision for Virtualitics’ role in defense?
Michael Amori: I firmly believe we are the Mission AI company. Our solutions directly support the DoD’s readiness posture, helping ensure the U.S. can deter and prevail against evolving threats. This is a top priority for the government—and we’re ready to meet that need with robust, mission-aligned AI solutions.
GDT: Thank you, Michael, for your thoughtful perspectives and for highlighting how Virtualitics is bridging the gap between advanced AI and real operational needs. Your emphasis on trust, transparency, and collaboration with defense users stands out in a rapidly changing sector. We look forward to following Virtualitics’ continued contributions to mission readiness and innovation across the defense landscape.
