On March 11 at New Horizons, panelists from the U.S. Air Force and academia discussed the operationalization of artificial intelligence, emphasizing productivity boosts in coding and the need for quality data. Experts highlighted both advancements and challenges, advocating for integrated technology budgeting to enhance efficiency in military applications.
At the annual New Horizons event on March 11 in Newton, Mass., a distinguished panel of U.S. Air Force, industry, and academic leaders convened to explore the practicality of operationalizing artificial intelligence. Participants included experts from the Air Force Research Laboratory and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, along with Raft, who shared insights on AI’s future and its multifaceted applications.
Mike Foster, chief data engineer at Raft, expressed his enthusiasm for advancements in AI for military applications. “The thing that gets me excited is seeing progress in closing the gap to making artificial intelligence real for warfighters.” His sentiment echoed the optimism among panelists, who addressed both AI’s expanding capabilities and the hurdles that still exist.
Ann Rumshinsky, an associate professor at UMass Lowell, highlighted the diverse functionalities of AI models, stating, “What I’m most excited about is the models we’re training are able to do a lot of different things.” She noted ongoing challenges in areas like reasoning and generative abilities, which she predicts may be resolved in the upcoming years.
The panel illustrated AI’s beneficial impact on military contracting, natural language processing, and operational tasks. Emphasizing the importance of high-quality, pretrained data, panelists showcased how AI can enhance efficiency in customer support and information retrieval, paving the way for smarter workflows.
Alexis Bonnell, chief information officer at the Air Force Research Laboratory, detailed productivity boosts in coding outcomes. “On average, we’re seeing a 25% to 85% increase in productivity of our coders,” she stated, stressing that organizations must embrace AI to retain talent in a competitive coding environment.
Bonnell proposed a rethinking of technology budget strategies, advocating for integrated approaches: “Don’t think about it as my normal tech budget, or my data budget, and then my artificial intelligence budget over here.” She argued for a unified budget perspective to maximize the use of cutting-edge technology effectively.
The New Horizons event is proudly sponsored by the Lexington-Concord chapter of AFCEA, showcasing notable discussions around the future’s technological landscapes.
The New Horizons event showcased the rapid developments and practical applications of artificial intelligence in military operations. Experts discussed the significant productivity improvements AI can provide, especially in coding and operational efficiency. Emphasizing the need for high-quality data and a reevaluation of technology budgeting strategies, the panel underscored the potential of AI to transform workflows and empower warfighters. The event highlighted both excitement for future capabilities and the challenges that lie ahead in fully operationalizing AI.
Original Source: www.afmc.af.mil
