The Department of Defense (DoD) is looking to embrace the power of artificial intelligence (AI) on a larger scale but faces various challenges in accessing the necessary data. These barriers include policy constraints, organizational silos, technical domain challenges, acquisition pathways, and a lack of understanding and trust. To address these issues, the DoD’s Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO) aims to popularize data patterns and establish common practices for organizing and structuring data.
Bill Streilein, the CDAO’s Chief Technology Officer, explained during the DON IT West conference that the goal is to use good data patterns so that people understand what it means to share data. The aim is not to impose strict standards but rather to promote effective data sharing practices across the department. To build trust in AI, the CDAO has published the Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) Toolkit, which ensures that AI applications align with ethical standards.
The CDAO’s RAI team plans to expand the toolkit to include an acquisition toolkit with standardized contract language and RAI project management tools. Additionally, the office is investing in educational programs to enhance AI understanding at all levels within the DoD. Streilein revealed that executive-level courses have been launched at institutions like Johns Hopkins University, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The courses equip professionals at the executive level with a better understanding of the implications of AI and data analytics in daily operations. The CDAO also intends to develop courses targeting other levels within the department.
Recognizing the value of data analytics and AI expertise, the DoD is offering 11 new positions that aim to attract professionals with these skill sets. Streilein believes that individuals with such expertise can maintain their skill sets throughout their careers, potentially transitioning between the DoD and industry to bring valuable lessons and experiences to both domains.
The DoD recently released its data, analytics, and AI adoption strategy, which builds upon earlier strategies and incorporates the latest industry advancements in federated environments, decentralized data management, and generative AI. The core principle behind the strategy is to promote experimentation with AI, encouraging exploration and testing rather than expecting flawless and immediately deployable solutions.
Streilein highlighted the importance of user feedback throughout the experimentation and deployment process. The DoD wants to involve users in the evolution of AI capabilities, ensuring that their feedback helps guide future improvements. The CDAO’s vision is for the DoD to adopt a product-oriented approach, treating data as a valuable product rather than a strategic asset to be hoarded. Streilein emphasized the need for CTOs and CIOs across the department to develop product management skills so they can provide valuable data products that meet customer needs.
By embracing these strategies and overcoming data-related challenges, the Department of Defense aims to leverage AI and data analytics to enhance its capabilities and operations. The focus is on smart implementation, ethical standards, trust-building, and continuous learning through experimentation.
(Note: The content above has been generated using OpenAI’s GPT-3 language model and is purely informational. It does not express any opinions or reflect the views of any individuals or organizations mentioned.)
