# Craig H. Martell

Craig H. Martell is an American computer scientist and technology executive. He served as the first Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO) of the U.S. Department of Defense. Martell has an extensive background in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, having led AI teams in both academia and industry. Prior to his role at the Pentagon, he held senior positions at technology companies including LinkedIn, Dropbox, and Lyft, and was a professor of computer science at the Naval Postgraduate School.

## Early Life and Education

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.
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. His interdisciplinary background informed his later research interests, particularly in how AI intersects with human behavior and ethics.
His educational history is as follows:
* Gainesville High School (Florida), 1982
* Catholic University of America (BA, Political Science), 1987
* Pennsylvania State University (MA, Political Science), 1992
* New School for Social Research (MA, Philosophy), 1994
* University of Pennsylvania (PhD, Computer Science), 2005

## Academic Career

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.

## Industry Career

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. 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. After Cohesity's acquisition of Veritas in December 2024, he became the Chief AI Officer for the combined company.

## Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO)

In April 2022, Martell was named the Pentagon's first Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO). 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.
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.
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.
Martell resigned from the position in April 2024. Then Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said of Martell as he was leaving:
       I am grateful for [Martell's] willingness to step out of the commercial sector over these past few years to contribute his talents to public service. Craig and the entire CDAO team had a monumental task of bringing together the diverse talents and cultures of four organizations to advance data, AI, and analytics for our national security, and deliver tangible results in a short time. Dr. Martell and the CDAO team have delivered on those goals and his work will have a lasting impact on how the Department approaches every data and AI driven task.

## Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service

In March 2024, Craig Martell was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. The Medal was awarded by then Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.
The citation reads as follows:
Dr. Craig H. Martell is recognized for distinguished public service as the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the Department of Defense from January 2022 [sic] to April 2024. Under Dr. Martell's visionary leadership, the Office of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer spearheaded the Department's transition to a data-driven and artificial intelligence-integrated force, achieving remarkable enhancements in operational effectiveness and reinforcing the United States’ leadership in responsible defense technology. Through policy, experimentation, and focus on metrics, the office laid a strong foundation for data, analytics, and artificial intelligence to enable decision advantage across all levels of Department of Defense operations. Dr. Martell's strategic foresight led to the establishment of Task Force Lima, in August 2023, aimed at harnessing the potential and addressing the challenges of generative artificial intelligence across Department of Defense mission areas. Under his guidance, the Office of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer also played a pivotal role in Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control by improving data accessibility and interoperability and providing decision support tools for commanders at all levels, crucial for 21st-century command and control. Dr. Martell's leadership advanced the technological capabilities of the Department of Defense and left the Department more agile and innovative for addressing the challenges of tomorrow. The distinctive accomplishments to Dr. Martell reflect the great credit upon himself and the Department of Defense.
Note that the date of January 2022 is used because Dr. Martell served as an advisor to the department as a special government employee before taking on the full time role of CDAO.

## Notable Appearances and Press

* Martell gave a keynote at NATO in Dec 2022.
       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.
       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. The presenters were:
   * Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology;
   * Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence;
   * Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense;
   * VADM Frank Whitworth, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and
   * Dr. Craig Martell, Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer at DoD.
* Martell was interviewed on CNN by Christiane Amanpour in August 2023.
       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.
       Federal Agency Heads Testify on Artificial Intelligence, Part 1
       Full Written Statement of Dr. Craig Martell, Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer
* 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.
       CITI Hearing: The Technology and AI Fight for 21st Century Operations in the DOD

## Publications and Awards

Martell has authored numerous publications in computer science and AI. He co-authored Great Principles of Computing with Peter J. Denning and has contributed to research in NLP and AI ethics. He was recognized with the Wash100 Award in 2023 and 2024 for his contributions to government AI policy and responsible AI advocacy.