Craig H. Martell

Craig Martell grew up in Vermont and Florida. He graduated Gainesville High School (Florida) in 1982. He graduate with a political science degree from The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., in 1987.{{Reference needed|date=March 2025}}

Martell pursued graduate degrees in philosophy and political science before shifting his focus to computer science. He earned a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science from the University of Pennsylvania.[https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/3511773/dr-craig-martell/ Dr. Craig Martell - U.S. Department of Defense Biography] His interdisciplinary background informed his later research interests, particularly in how AI intersects with human behavior and ethics.[https://www.khoury.northeastern.edu/classroom-qa-dr-craig-martell-and-machine-learning/ Classroom Q&A: Dr. Craig Martell and Machine Learning - Khoury College of Computer Sciences]

In 2003, Martell joined the faculty at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, where he specialized in natural language processing (NLP). He served as an associate chairman of the computer science department and conducted research on AI and robotics. He co-authored papers on controlling heterogeneous robotic agents and contributed to computer science education through his book Great Principles of Computing (MIT Press, 2015), co-authored with Peter Denning.{{Cite book |last=Denning |first=Peter J. |url=https://direct.mit.edu/books/monograph/4031/Great-Principles-of-Computing |title=Great Principles of Computing |last2=Martell |first2=Craig H. |date=2015-01-16 |publisher=The MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-32426-7 |language=en}}[https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/3511773/dr-craig-martell/#:~:text=2021%20and%20System%20and%20Method,by%20MIT%20Press%20in%202015 Dr. Craig Martell - Biography]

Martell transitioned to the technology industry in the mid-2010s. At LinkedIn, he led AI initiatives, including the creation of the LinkedIn AI Academy, which trained employees on AI concepts.{{Cite web |last=Levy |first=Nat |date=2018-05-16 |title=LinkedIn forms AI Academy to help its employees understand the trendy technology |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/linkedin-forms-ai-academy-help-employees-understand-trendy-technology/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=GeekWire |language=en-US}} He later became Head of Machine Intelligence at Dropbox and then Head of Machine Learning at Lyft, where he developed scalable AI platforms for ride-sharing services. In 2024, Martell was appointed Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Cohesity, an AI-driven data security company.{{Cite web |title=Cohesity Appoints Dr. Craig Martell as Chief Technology Officer |url=https://www.cohesity.com/press/cohesity-appoints-dr-craig-martell-as-chief-technology-officer/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Cohesity |language=en-US}} After Cohesity's acquisition of Veritas in December 2024,{{Cite web |last=Szkutak |first=Rebecca |date=2024-12-10 |title=Cohesity completes its merger with Veritas; here's how they'll integrate |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/10/cohesity-completes-its-merger-with-veritas-heres-how-theyll-integrate/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} he became the Chief AI Officer for the combined company.

In April 2022, Martell was named the Pentagon's first Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO).{{Cite news |last=Loten |first=Angus |date=2022-04-26 |title=Pentagon Taps Lyft’s Machine-Learning Chief |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-taps-lyfts-machine-learning-chief-11651008407 |access-date=2025-06-02 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}} The role was created to unify and accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption across the DoD. Reporting directly to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Martell led initiatives on secure data sharing, AI strategy, and responsible AI implementation.{{Cn|date=June 2025}}

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During his tenure, he emphasized the importance of data infrastructure as a prerequisite for AI advancements. His office developed AI strategy guidance and contributed to the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiative. He also promoted responsible AI use within the military and testified before Congress on AI risks.{{Cn|date=June 2025}}

Martell led Task Force Lima to better understand how generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, like large language models, can and should be most effectively used within the Department of Defense.{{Cite web |last=Gill |first=Jaspreet |date=2023-08-10 |title=Pentagon launches 'Task Force Lima' to study generative AI for defense |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/pentagon-launches-task-force-lima-to-study-generative-ai-for-defense/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Breaking Defense |language=en-US}}

Martell resigned from the position in April 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Pentagon’s outgoing AI chief warns Congress on safety, accuracy risks of the emerging tech |url=https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2024/03/pentagons-outgoing-ai-chief-warns-congress-safety-accuracy-risks/395179/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Nextgov.com |language=en}}

In March 2024, Craig Martell was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. {{Cn|date=June 2025}} The Medal was awarded by then Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.

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• Martell gave a keynote at NATO in Dec 2022. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqfYM-n6C4Y/ Dr. Martell's NATO Keynote]

• Martell testified before the House Armed Services Committee, in March 2023, on the topic of Defense in a Digital Era: Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Securing the Department of Defense.[https://armedservices.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3618 CITI Hearing: Defense in a Digital Era: Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Securing the Department of Defense]

• Martell testified at the first-ever classified briefing on the national security implications of artificial intelligence before the full-senate in closed session in July 2023.[https://www.congress.gov/118/crec/2023/07/12/169/119/CREC-2023-07-12-pt1-PgS2332-5.pdf Congressional Record - Senate, July 12, 2023]

• Martell was interviewed on CNN by Christiane Amanpour in August 2023.[https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2023/08/07/craig-martell-ai-amanpour-interview.cnn/ Machines won't ever make decisions on their own, says Pentagon AI chief]

• Martell testified before the House Oversight Committee, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, in September 2023, regarding How Federal Agencies are Harnessing Artificial Intelligence.[https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/federal-agency-heads-testify-on-artificial-intelligence-part-1/632081 Federal Agency Heads Testify on Artificial Intelligence]

• Martell testified before the House Armed Services Committee, in March 2024, on The Technology and AI Fight for 21st Century Operations in the Department of Defense.[https://armedservices.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3553 CITI Hearing: The Technology and AI Fight for 21st Century Operations in the Department of Defense]

He was recognized with the Wash100 Award in 2023{{Cite web |date=2024-10-20 |title=2023 - Dr. Craig Martell {{!}} Wash100 |url=https://www.wash100.com/winners/2023/dr-craig-martell/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |language=en-US}} and 2024{{Cite web |date=2024-01-31 |title=DOD Chief Digital & AI Officer Craig Martell Receives 2024 Wash100 Award for Generative, Responsible AI Activism |url=https://www.govconwire.com/2024/01/dod-chief-digital-and-ai-officer-craig-martell-receives-2024-wash100-award-for-generative-responsible-ai-activism/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=GovCon Wire |language=en-US}} for his contributions to government AI policy and responsible AI advocacy.

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Category:Catholic University of America alumni

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:American computer scientists

Category:Gainesville High School (Florida) alumni

Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni