Pentagon Confirms Michael Kratsios to Serve as Acting Secretary of Defense & Engineering; Will Oversee Quantum Computing, 5G, AI & Microelectronics

(NYTimes) The Pentagon confirmed on Monday that U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios is being tapped to serve as the acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering overseeing the U.S. military’s massive R&D efforts.
Kratsios will also oversee the agency’s Modernization Priorities, which include efforts on 5G, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and microelectronics. Kratsios led the development of the White House’s national strategies for AI, 5G, and quantum computing.
The Pentagon also confirmed Monday that Mark J. Lewis, director of Defense Research and Engineering for Modernization, will serve as Kratsios’ acting deputy at the Pentagon.
Kratsios is responsible for creating the American AI Initiative, setting up the National Quantum Coordination Office, and, most recently, launching of the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium. Kratsios has represented the United States in multiple international fora, leading U.S. delegations at the G7, G20, and OECD.