20VC: The Future of War: Are We Ready & What Needs to Be Done | China, Russia and Trump: What Happens Now | Raising $828M to Build the Defence Champion of Europe | Torsten Reil, Co-Founder @ Helsing

Torsten Reil is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Helsing, a new type of defence company providing artificial intelligence to protect our democracies. Torsten has raised over $825M from the likes of Prima Materia, Elad Gil, Accel and General Catalyst. Previously Torsten founded NaturalMotion, one of the UK's most successful games and technology start-ups. Torsten was named as one of MIT's Top 100 Innovators and is a member of the Munich Security Conference Innovation Board.

In Today’s Episode with Torsten Reil We Discuss:

1. The World Around Us: China, Russia and Trump:

• What will happen between China and Taiwan?

• What will happen between Russia and Ukraine?

• How will a Trump administration impact the US’ commitment to fund European defence?

• What conflict do people not pay enough attention to in the world today?

2. Are We Ready and What Needs to Be Done:

• Are the west ready to fight against our adversaries as we stand today?

• What do we need to do to equip ourselves? 

• What needs to change in our defence budgets? Where do they need to go?

• How does the procurement process for defence need to change?

3. The Future of War: 

• Why does Torsten believe the future of war is contactless?

• In the next wave of defence, what are the most important elements for allies to own? What elements concern Torsten the most?

• What role does AI and autonomous play in the future of war?

4. Is Europe F********:

• Why does Torsten believe that Europe’s biggest problem is ambition not capital?

• Why does Torsten believ that we put too much weight on the location in which companies are founded? Why does it not matter?

• How does Torsten respond to the statement that we do not have the depth of experienced talent in Europe to recruit?