Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech awards honor visionary executives addressing critical challenges. Abel Avellan, CEO of AST SpaceMobile, is revolutionizing connectivity by bringing cellular broadband to remote areas via space. His company aims to provide 4G/5G service to unmodified smartphones globally, having launched six satellites with plans for many more. AST SpaceMobile has secured partnerships with over 50 wireless providers and significant investor backing. Ahmad Ghahreman, cofounder of Cyclic Materials, is tackling the reliance on mined rare earth materials. His company developed the CC360 process to recycle these crucial elements from disk drives, diverting them from landfills. Major companies like Amazon and BMW are supporting Cyclic Materials' commercialization efforts. Amy Gilliland, president of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), is leveraging AI for defense applications. GDIT, in collaboration with AWS, created the DOGMA platform for the U.S. Department of Defense. DOGMA uses AI to detect and counter advanced missile and drone threats by rapidly analyzing sensor data. This AI system dramatically reduces decision-making time from minutes to seconds, enhancing national security.