Shield AI has announced the appointment of Gary Steele, former CEO of Splunk, as its new chief executive officer. This development comes as the autonomy-focused firm prepares for its next phase of growth, with co-founder Ryan Tseng transitioning to the role of president after years of steering the company from its inception.

Effective May 13, Steele will not only take on the responsibilities of CEO but will also join Shield AI’s board of directors. Currently serving as Cisco’s president for go-to-market operations, Steele brings a wealth of experience to Shield AI—an organization that has, under Tseng’s leadership, evolved from a modest start-up in San Diego into one of the Pentagon’s recognized “defense tech unicorns.” This term describes nontraditional defense firms that have garnered significant funding and defense contracts from across Silicon Valley.

Tseng, who co-founded Shield AI in 2015 with his brother Brandon, a former Navy SEAL, has been pivotal in driving the company’s growth trajectory. “Among my most important responsibilities has always been ensuring Shield AI is led by the absolute best person for the role,” Tseng stated in a press release. “Over the past year, with the demand for autonomy solutions at scale and the growth of our aircraft business, it became unmistakably clear that Shield AI required a leader with not only deep software expertise but proven experience scaling technology organizations. Gary Steele is the best leader for the next chapter of our growth.”

Under Tseng’s direction, Shield AI has developed innovative products, including Hivemind, an artificial intelligence system capable of piloting drones, and the V-Bat drone—which the company produces in Dallas following its acquisition of original manufacturer Martin UAV in 2021. Notably, Shield AI’s contributions have extended into military applications, such as developing software that enabled the modified F-16, known as the X-62A VISTA, to fly under AI control as part of DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution program.

Recently, Shield AI completed a $240 million Series F funding round, elevating the company’s valuation to $5.3 billion. This influx of capital underscores the growing interest in advanced autonomous solutions within the defense sector, and Steele’s appointment signals a strategic pivot towards both enhancing defense capabilities and exploring opportunities in broader commercial applications.

Steele, who has over three decades of experience in the technology sector, previously led Splunk until its acquisition by Cisco for $28 billion in 2024. Prior to that, he served as CEO of cybersecurity firm Proofpoint, guiding it to a successful initial public offering. His extensive background offers Shield AI the expertise necessary to navigate the complexities of both defense and technology markets.

“There is growing demand for advanced autonomy from defense industry leaders, and we also see an opportunity to expand beyond traditional defense applications to benefit larger commercial enterprises,” Steele remarked. “I am proud to join this team and help bring this tremendous opportunity to bear, in partnership with Ryan and Brandon.”