Dan Rodenhurst has been appointed as the new Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). In this role, he will lead all of the MOD’s digital and data teams.
Rodenhurst will be responsible for delivering the digital, data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) ambitions outlined in the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). This includes overseeing a £5.5 billion investment into the MOD’s ‘Digital Backbone’, £1.8 billion into the digital targeting web, and over £200 million into AI capabilities.
His responsibilities will also include ensuring a coherent approach to data, AI, and digital integration across UK Defence, utilising major investments from the DIP. This includes a £100 million investment to support Project FRONTIER AI, which aims to provide decision-support applications across Defence.
Rodenhurst's AI teams will be involved in developing the Defence AI Centre (DAIC) and Taskforce RAID. The DAIC is the MOD’s centre for AI delivery, while Taskforce RAID aims to achieve battlefield advantage.
In September, Rodenhurst will become a Director General within the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, leading more than 3,000 digital, data, cyber, and technology specialists. He succeeds Charles Forte, who retired in June, with Claire Fry serving as interim CDIO until September.