The Defense Innovation Board (DIB), established in 2016 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, provides independent recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and other senior DoD leaders on emerging technologies and innovative approaches that DoD should adopt to ensure U.S. technological and military dominance. Recommendations are designed to be concise, actionable, and high-impact. To date, the Board’s recommendations have been used to inform DoD leadership strategy and action, as well as congressional legislation.

In the face of rapidly evolving threats and operating environments, the DoD must continuously inject innovative solutions into its strategy and operations to maintain critical advantage on and off the battlefield. Peer and near-peer competitors are challenging U.S. primacy across a number of domains and technologies, and DoD must navigate shifting economic and industry environments to meet these challenges and achieve mission success. In this context, the DIB provides outside independent expertise  to the Department to support the warfighter and encourage innovative best practices throughout the armed forces.

The Board is comprised of leaders from across the national security innovation base to provide diverse insight on DoD’s biggest challenges. The DIB adds value through recommendations on innovation to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense in several focus areas including AI, software, data, digital transformation, and workforce development. The DIB parent board produces recommendations on these topics through the use of its subcommittees.

The mission of the Defense Innovation Board is to provide the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and other senior leaders across the Department with independent advice and recommendations on innovative means to address future challenges through the prism of three focus areas: people and culture, technology and capabilities, and practices and operations.