From hypercars to cruise missiles: Lukas Czinger on the future of US defense | E2292

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  May 23, 2026 at 00:46  |  1:46:25  |  This Week in Startups
Speakers
Jason Calacanis — Angel Investor / Founder, LAUNCH
Lukas Czinger — CEO and co-founder, Divergent Technologies

Summary

The episode features Lukas Czinger discussing Divergent Technologies' AI-driven additive manufacturing for defense, producing cheaper and faster cruise missile components. Later, Outro Health's founders explain hyperbolic tapering to safely discontinue antidepressants. Finally, Jason Calacanis and Lon Harris analyze Meta's layoffs and AI regulation, concluding that AI job loss is real and Trump's pro-tech stance supports acceleration.

  • Divergent Technologies uses AI-driven 3D printing to build metal structures for cruise missiles and aircraft, claiming 50% cost reduction.
  • Lukas Czinger describes their vertically integrated manufacturing platform and partnerships with defense primes.
  • Outro Health introduces hyperbolic tapering to help patients safely stop SSRIs like Zoloft and Prozac.
  • The founders critique the pharmaceutical industry's chemical imbalance narrative and physician incentives.
  • Meta's leaked all-hands meeting reveals employee monitoring and AI training on worker keystrokes, sparking cultural concerns.
  • Jason Calacanis argues AI is causing real job loss in big tech and urges managed deployment.
  • Trump cancels AI executive order after pushback from tech leaders, signaling a pro-accelerationist stance.
  • The hosts discuss potential regulation, including self-regulation and pace-of-deployment controls.
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