By News Editor 
Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth says Silicon Valley is becoming more open to working with the U.S. military, marking what he described as a cultural shift after years of resistance within the tech industry. Bosworth is actually a member of the US Army Reserve as part of a special contingent of corporate executives now under the employ of the US military. Additionally, in remarks to Meta employees last summer, Bosworth relayed how he was privy to special demonstrations from US Army Special Forces and Rangers in the form of training and exposure to key exercises.
Speaking Wednesday at the Bloomberg Tech Summit in San Francisco, Bosworth said the “tides have turned” and that a previously quiet segment of the tech sector now feels more comfortable pursuing defense-related projects.
“There’s a silent majority that wanted to do this work,” Bosworth said, arguing that Silicon Valley has long had a “stronger patriotic underpinning” than critics acknowledge. He pointed to the region’s origins in Cold War–era military research as justification for renewed collaboration with the Pentagon.
Meta recently announced a partnership with defense contractor Anduril Industries to develop technology for the U.S. military, including an artificial intelligence–powered helmet incorporating virtual and augmented reality. Bosworth framed the move as part of what he called a “return to grace” for Silicon Valley, after years in which some workers and activists opposed military contracts on ethical grounds.
The partnership reflects a broader realignment underway across the tech industry, as companies increasingly pursue government and defense contracts while investing heavily in AI, automation, and immersive hardware.
Bosworth, one of Meta’s most prominent executives, oversees the company’s Reality Labs division, which is responsible for products such as Quest virtual reality headsets and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. He said 2025 will be a pivotal year for the division, as consumer adoption—or rejection—will determine whether the technology becomes mainstream.
“History has its eyes on us,” Bosworth said, suggesting the market will ultimately decide the fate of Meta’s virtual and augmented reality ambitions.
Meta’s growing involvement in defense technology comes as Silicon Valley companies reassess their relationship with the U.S. government amid rising geopolitical tensions and increased military spending. Critics argue the shift raises concerns about surveillance, militarization of consumer technology, and the ethical use of AI, while supporters frame it as a return to the industry’s roots.
For Meta, the move underscores how rapidly the boundaries between consumer tech, artificial intelligence, and national defense are blurring—and how corporate leaders are working to redefine Silicon Valley’s political and moral identity in the process.