Download our Disruptive Technology for Defense Transformation Attendee list from 2024 to see a snapshot of who attended last year's event and who you could meet this May 20-21 in Austin, TX!

Artificial intelligence (AI) has captured the attention of defense and security experts around the world. Whether in regard to cybersecurity, threat detection, information gathering, or simulation training, the applications of AI in defense appear endless. At the forefront of leveraging and implementing AI in modern military operations is the U.S. Department of Defense.

The following report will analyze four of the leading AI initiatives within the DoD. Those include:

• Project Maven
• Advana
• Replicator
• Project Linchpin

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a trendy buzzword in recent years thanks to the explosion of large language models such as ChatGPT, the military-industrial space has been researching and deploying AI solutions for decades. In fact, Alan Turing, the mathematician who achieved a groundbreaking milestone in military history when he cracked the German’s enigma machine encryption during WWII, is considered the father of AI thanks to his Turing Test, which determines if a machine can think. Today, applications of AI for defense and security include enhanced decision-making, information gathering, threat detection, and target acquisition, to name a few examples.

The following piece will outline six times the U.S. military, specifically the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has designed and implemented an AI solution. For those interested in hearing from the top AI experts and decision makers in the DoD, be sure to register for AI for Defense Transformation. The two-day event taking place May 20-21 in Austin, Texas, will allow attendees to engage in thought-provoking sessions on topics like enhanced decision-making, advanced threat assessment, autonomous systems, and the critical role of AI in modern warfare. The conference will also tackle pressing cybersecurity challenges that complicate AI integration, discussing solutions to overcome these barriers.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, and defense is no exception. For example, in 2024, the DoD began gathering industry feedback for a potential $15 billion contract aimed at supporting its Advana initiative, a multi-domain analytics and AI platform. If finalized, the contract would be the single largest AI contract in U.S. defense history.

The large investments in AI show the commitment militaries around the world have placed in new technologies, and IDGA is proud to introduce “AI for Defense Transformation,” an event aimed towards connecting industry leaders with DoD and Homeland Security personnel to share best practices and help shape the future of AI in defense.

The chairwoman of the inaugural AI for Defense Transformation conference is Eileen Vidrine, the former Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence officer for the Department of the Air Force. In her 35-years working across the defense and homeland security landscape, Eileen has experience leading transformative change initiatives in defense, intelligence, air and space. In her leadership roles, Eileen has consistently driven innovation by establishing new programs that enhance workforce capabilities and promote best practices in data management and AI.

Before the conference begins on May 20 in Austin, Texas, IDGA sat down with Eileen to discuss AI trends, the importance of collaboration, and what she is looking forward to as chairwoman of the event.

Every industry around the world has been impacted by the growth of AI, and the defense space is no exception. In the US military, the DoD has established dozens of teams across its five branches intent on learning more about AI capabilities, developing and procuring solutions, and collaborating with the tech industry.

Mr. John Osborne serves on one of these units inside the Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA).

As the Senior Science and Technology Advisor to the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G2, Osborne advises the Army’s Senior Intelligence Officer on Intelligence Science and Technology programs and funding across various research and development stages. These include applied research, advanced technology development, and advanced component development and prototyping.

Before Osborne speaks at AI for Defense Transformation this May, he sat down with IDGA to discuss the Army G-2’s role in shaping AI, the key pillars of AI implementation, and much more.