Podcast Summary: Click Here's "Mic Drop: Nakasone Previews Vanderbilt’s Future of War Summit in Music City"

Released on April 4, 2025 by Recorded Future News

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Click Here, host Dina Temple-Raston engages in an in-depth conversation with General Paul Nakasone, the former Director of the NSA and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command. The episode, titled "Mic Drop: Nakasone Previews Vanderbilt’s Future of War Summit in Music City," delves into General Nakasone's transition from government service to academia, his initiatives at Vanderbilt University, and his strategic vision for addressing contemporary national security challenges.

General Nakasone’s Transition to Vanderbilt University

General Nakasone shares his motivations for moving from high-level government roles to academia. Reflecting on his tenure at the NSA and Cyber Command, he emphasizes the critical need for a new generation that bridges the gap between policymakers and technologists.

General Paul Nakasone [00:14]: "In the future, we need policymakers who code and coders who understand policy."

Despite the progress made, he acknowledges a current shortfall in integrating these skill sets effectively.

General Paul Nakasone [00:22]: "Well, my experience over the past six years leading both NSA and Cyber Command is that we are perhaps a little short of that."

Fostering Talent in National Security

Central to General Nakasone's mission at Vanderbilt is the cultivation of talent. He underscores the importance of attracting young, innovative minds to national security roles.

General Paul Nakasone [03:55]: "Talent has been a constant for Nakasone. The one thing he has consistently said could alter the trajectory of national security. But it has to be cultivated every quarter."

He criticizes the generational disconnect between government operations and technological innovation, emphasizing the need for young professionals who can invigorate government service with fresh perspectives and advanced technical skills.

General Paul Nakasone [04:10]: "When I was The Director of NSA and Commander U.S. Cyber Command... it just told me at that point that we needed a new generation of young people that were going to come and look at government service differently."

Establishing the Wicked Problems Lab

At Vanderbilt, General Nakasone launched the Wicked Problems Lab, a pioneering initiative aimed at tackling some of the most intractable challenges in national security.

General Paul Nakasone [06:41]: "We said, hey, at the Institute of National Security, let's have this lab that takes up really hard problems. Pragmatically, I don't want something that's going to solve something 10 or 20 years down the road. We've got a problem now."

The lab focuses on immediate solutions, encouraging collaboration between government entities and white hat hackers to address pressing cyber threats like ransomware.

General Paul Nakasone [07:07]: "How do we connect... white hat hackers... but don't want to be known and want to be able to do it securely."

Combating Ransomware and Protecting Rural Hospitals

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the ransomware epidemic, particularly its devastating impact on rural hospitals. General Nakasone highlights the vulnerabilities of these institutions, which often operate with limited cybersecurity resources and face existential threats when attacked.

General Paul Nakasone [10:22]: "I want to get after ransomware. Ransomware is personal now. It's no longer something that happens to someone else far away. It's everywhere."

He advocates for a comprehensive strategy that unites the private sector, government, and academia to fortify defenses and disrupt the operations of malicious actors.

General Paul Nakasone [11:38]: "Perfect scenario for me is let's bring the private sector, that includes individuals and businesses together with governments, together with academia and let's get some ideas here in terms of how we go after this."

The Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats

Looking ahead, General Nakasone previews the upcoming Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats at Vanderbilt, scheduled for April 10th and 11th. This event aims to assemble top-tier experts, including OpenAI's Sam Altman, to explore the multifaceted challenges of modern warfare and technological advancements.

General Paul Nakasone [13:04]: "AI and national security, its threats, challenges and opportunities."

The summit will feature panels on topics ranging from artificial intelligence's impact on national security to the implications of quantum computing and the strategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.

General Paul Nakasone [07:30]: "Everything from AI's broad impact on the nation to biopharma to looking at the changing nature of conflict to how does AI impact the Indo Pacific region."

Artificial Intelligence in Modern Warfare

A critical theme of the summit—and a pressing concern for national security—is the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in contemporary and future conflicts. General Nakasone discusses the dual-edged nature of AI, where it serves both as a tool for defensive measures and a potential autonomous combatant.

General Paul Nakasone [14:25]: "As we look at our adversaries, they have no problems with that absence of a human in the loop. That is something that goes against all of our policies in the Department of Defense."

He raises essential questions about ethical boundaries and policy frameworks necessary to govern AI's integration into military operations, ensuring that critical decisions remain under human oversight.

General Paul Nakasone [14:25]: "I think that our adversaries are going to push us to areas that we're going to have to make very key decisions on."

Concluding Insights and Future Directions

In closing, General Nakasone reflects on the success metrics for his initiatives, emphasizing the inspiration and engagement of Vanderbilt's students as indicators of progress.

General Paul Nakasone [15:54]: "I think I'll know when successful when I hear the reactions in Vanderbilt University of the students that are there. Does this excite them? Is this something that they're interested in?"

He expresses optimism about the collaborative efforts underway and the potential for innovative solutions to shape the future of national security.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Click Here offers a deep dive into General Nakasone's strategic vision for bridging technological expertise and policy-making in national security. Through his work at Vanderbilt University and the upcoming summit, he seeks to address urgent cyber threats and foster a new generation of leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of modern warfare.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• General Paul Nakasone [00:14]: "In the future, we need policymakers who code and coders who understand policy."

• General Paul Nakasone [03:55]: "Talent has been a constant for Nakasone. The one thing he has consistently said could alter the trajectory of national security. But it has to be cultivated every quarter."

• General Paul Nakasone [06:41]: "Pragmatically, I don't want something that's going to solve something 10 or 20 years down the road. We've got a problem now."

• General Paul Nakasone [14:25]: "As we look at our adversaries, they have no problems with that absence of a human in the loop."

• General Paul Nakasone [15:54]: "I think I'll know when successful when I hear the reactions in Vanderbilt University of the students that are there."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for both listeners and those who missed the broadcast.