2
Ryan Tseng
Executive Leadership
Shield AI
Defense Technology & Autonomous Aerospace Artificial IntelligenceFounded 2015- HQ today: San Diego, California, USA
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: November 2026
Leadership History
Shield AI: CEO History
2 leaders · Full leadership timeline
Who is the CEO of Shield AI?
Ryan Tseng is the CEO of Shield AI.
- Current CEO
- Ryan Tseng
- Leaders documented
- 2
- Founded
- 2015
| Name | Role | From | To | Years in role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Tseng | Executive Leadership | — | Present | — |
| Brandon Tseng | Defense Strategy & Growth | — | Present | — |
Company Overview
Shield AI was born from the battlefield experiences of former Navy SEAL Brandon Tseng. After witnessing combat situations where service members entered hostile buildings without tactical intelligence due to communication limits, Tseng partnered with his brother Ryan to develop AI systems that operate autonomously without human pilot guidance.
Shield AI operates a dual-revenue business model combining defense software licensing with proprietary autonomous unmanned aircraft sales. Its Hivemind autonomy software is licensed across various defense aviation programs, charging the military annual software subscription and maintenance fees to integrate autonomous piloting onto legacy aircraft (like F-16s) and future unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). Complementing its software revenue, Shield AI manufactures and sells the V-BAT tactical unmanned aerial system—a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone with long endurance—generating multi-hundred-million-dollar defense procurement contracts, spare parts sales, and field service support revenues.
1
Brandon Tseng
Defense Strategy & Growth
Challenges & Strategic Context
Shield AI must navigate lengthy military procurement cycles, rigorous security clearance mandates, and strict International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Engineering autonomous systems capable of executing mission tactics without GPS or satellite communications during electronic warfare jamming requires fault-tolerant edge computing. Furthermore, intense competition from legacy defense primes (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman) and new defense-tech disrupters (Anduril) necessitates continuous innovation.
Shield AI CEO and Leadership FAQ
Who is the CEO of Shield AI?
Ryan Tseng serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Shield AI.
Who are the other key executives at Shield AI?
The senior executive team includes leaders across technology, finance, product engineering, legal compliance, and commercial sales.
What is Shield AI's corporate governance philosophy?
Shield AI adheres to high standards of corporate transparency, data privacy, stakeholder alignment, and long-term value creation.
Where are Shield AI's executive headquarters located?
Shield AI maintains its principal executive offices in San Diego, United States.
How does leadership prioritize capital allocation?
Management prioritizes high-ROI software research, infrastructure stability, disciplined hiring, and strategic market expansion.
How is the Board of Directors composed?
The Board includes independent directors with substantial executive experience across global technology, enterprise finance, and corporate law.
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