Now it's looking overseas for a joint task force between US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the United Arab Emirates to develop military AI applications. The effort, named Task Force Talon Synapse, is set to launch “in the coming weeks,” CENTCOM says, and will focus on “integrating AI applications for intelligence support, protecting critical infrastructure, and monitoring the regional security environment.” Task Force Talon Synapse will be based in Abu Dhabi and will consist of about 20 American and Emirati personnel with backgrounds in AI, data, and cybersecurity. The agreement comes a few months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the agency to "accelerate America's Military AI Dominance by becoming an 'AI-first' warfighting force across all components, from front to back." Task Force Talon Synapse has been in the works since at least 2025, when Commander Cooper discussed the idea with UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, CENTCOM says.