mountain view calif. u.s. defense secretary jim mattis say thursday obama-era experimental defense outpost silicon valley would grow importance trump administration nation technology entrepreneurs vital national defense mattis pay first official visit pentagon defense innovation experimental unit diux mountain view california part two-day outreach tour u.s. technology industry intend highlight pentagon commitment technology innovation doubt mind diux continue exist actually grow influence impact department defense mattis tell reporters brief remark diux facility diux set two years ago mattis predecessor ash carter serve pentagon hub attract private-sector innovation solve complex technical military challenge diux face criticism republican lawmakers question value organization program undergo overhaul may 2016 less year launch since june last year diux award 100 million contract 45 pilot project areas include artificial intelligence autonomous machine space unit currently 48 staff expect grow 75 end 2018 say sean singleton diux director engagement mattis say diux would help u.s. military become lethal capable defend experiment call unite state america unit leadership report directly senior staff mattis say add expect diux would help military incorporate advance artificial intelligence take place silicon valley defense secretary visit come trump administration spar technology industry host issue include immigration climate change privacy early thursday mattis visit amazon headquarter seattle expect visit alphabet google headquarter palo alto california friday pleasure host secdef jam mattis amazon hq seattle today amazon chief executive jeff bezos write twitter post include photo mattis smile one another defense secretary mattis see growth silicon valley defense unit