Dr. Stephen Homeyer, vice president at BAE Systems, served as the moderator for an expert panel discussion during GovCon Wire Events’ AI: Innovation in National Security Forum on June 3rd, 2021.
The following panelists discussed transitioning artificial intelligence (AI) from research and development (R&D) to operations: Jill Crisman of the Department of Defense (DOD), Jane Pinelis of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) and Dean Souleles of Ginosko Consulting.
If you missed yesterday’s AI: Innovation in National Security Forum, you can still access the OnDemand footage by visiting GovCon Wire Events’ Page.
Katharina McFarland, commissioner of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), delivered the Forum’s keynote address. McFarland discussed the NSCAI’s role in AI development and essential goals for AI integration into national security systems.
After McFarland’s address, the Forum moved onto the expert panel. The discussion opened with Jane Pinelis, chief of Test and Evaluation of AI/Machine Learning at JAIC, stating, “We are currently on the cutting edge of (AI) research and development.”
However, she explained that although her responsibilities as chief of Test and Evaluation might appear as a barrier to technology deployment, it is necessary to ensure new capabilities are stood up correctly.
Pinelis also remarked that for the DOD to achieve its goal of a rapid technology development cycle regarding AI, Test and Evaluation must become a very engaged partner from the beginning of the development cycle.
Jill Crisman, technical director at the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, Research & Engineering, talked about her AI transition roadmap. She explained that the DOD first needs to solve the issues preventing the integration of deep neural nets into its systems.
The solutions to the before-mentioned problems include proper software architectures and effective data collection/archiving. In addition, Crisman expressed the need for an educated workforce that understands when to use AI and when not it is not necessary.
Dean Souleles, principal at Ginosko Consulting and former chief technology officer at Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), discussed in his comments how private industry can help with the DOD’s AI integration efforts, stating “one thing industry can do is to make sure their systems are adequately secured, reliable and robust.”
He added that it is essential that AI developers understand the set or sets of data that trains a given AI system. That understanding is necessary to avoid any unintentional biases that will cause the AI to draw incorrect conclusions and hamper mission success.
If you missed the AI: Innovation in National Security Forum, you can still access the OnDemand footage by visiting GovCon Wire Events’ Page.
Mark your calendar for June 15th, when the GovCon Wire Events will host its Data Innovation Forum. David Spirk, chief data officer of the DOD will deliver the Data Innovation Forum’s keynote address with an introduction from Gregg Melanson, EVP and GM of Illuminate.
Spirk will discuss the DOD’s defense data strategy, plans for commercial data, analytics, AI and emerging data processing technologies. Don’t wait to save your spot for this must-watch forum.
Visit GovConWire.com/Events to register for the Data Innovation Forum on June 15th.
