Defense Mavericks

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today to hear an insightful discussion with Ken Farber, Solution Architect for Artificial Intelligence at Teksynap. One of the most important aspects of ensuring the best outcomes when interacting with AI is making sure it is equipped with the correct data and language needed to perform its tasks. Ken shared with us that as a res...

Today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today features Oki Mek, Chief Information Security Officer at Microsoft. From serving as the first Chief AI Officer at the HHS to working across government and industry, he shared some of the biggest challenges he and his team have faced in order to provide the best possible applications of AI. Now in the cyber realm, he discussed being able...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Nicholas Vandre, U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Nicholas reflected on how using resourcefulness in the face of obstacles has been beneficial in equipping him with a sense of vision within the DoD–a space that requires innovation and flexibility to navigate. Listen in to hear more about why he believes in the ef...

Tune in for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today to hear a compelling discussion with LCDR Timothy Beach, Chief Data Officer, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems, U.S. Navy. When predicting the future of AI, there’s rarely ever just one path that can be taken. Timothy shares that preparing for each of these outcomes with a thorough understanding of emergin...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Luke Douglas, Acting Director of the Office of Strategic Information, Research, & Planning at the Peace Corps. Luke’s work with the Peace Corps has been instrumental in setting the framework for AI literacy in all areas and promoting internal collaboration. Stay tuned hear more about how impactful AI and ML models...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we sit down with John Ferry, President at Trenchant Analytics, LLC, and Co-Founder/CEO of userogue.com. John sat down with Bonnie to discuss one of Tradewind’s success stories, working with the CDAO on applying AI to the acquisition process.  Listen in to hear more about semi-automating the entire contract pipeline, from AI powered...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Mark Beall, CEO and Co-Founder of Gladstone AI. Mark sat down with us to discuss how his passion for digital transformation led him to create initiatives that helped organizations to better utilize AI. Listen in to hear more about how his work with Gladstone is working with government and industry to support and ex...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Tyler Sweatt, Chief Revenue Officer at Second Front Systems. Tyler’s drive for innovation stems from his time in the military and as a consultant–both exposing him to the kinds of capabilities that are required for the future of the defense space. Stay tuned to hear more about the work he’s doing with Second Front...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, where we are joined by Frank Indiviglio, Chief Technology Officer at NOAA. Artificial intelligence and machine learning play a pivotal role in creating predictive models based on environmental and climate data, and Frank sat down with us to give us some insight on just how impactful these systems are. Listen in to hear mor...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Karen Howard, Executive Director of the Head of the Office of Online Services at the IRS. Karen shared her passion for creating solutions in the digital space, and how her work with the IRS is using AI and innovative solutions to achieve those goals. Stay tuned to hear more about what kinds of changes are being made t...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are re-joined by Author and Consultant JL Hancock for another riveting discussion about his work in emerging technologies and the future of autonomous robotics. JL shares the importance of identifying a project’s vision, and how it often means the difference between an idea and the end result. Stay tuned to hear more about the futu...

Tune in for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, to hear a thought-provoking conversation with Amy Hamilton, Senior Cybersecurity Advisor for Policy and Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy. Amy shared with us what she is most excited to see being achieved with AI in the world of cybersecurity, and why the regulation of these emerging technologies will be the best w...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, to hear a fascinating discussion with Samuel Bendett, Researcher at the Center of Naval Analytics. As a policy expert, Samuel’s work with the CNA allows him to examine the development of emerging technologies within the Russian military and civilian environment. Stay tuned to learn more about the security and technology to...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Rob Albritton, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence Practice and oLabs Lead of Octo. Rob discussed his work with oLabs and its AI innovation center, and its mission to inspire their team to innovate at the highest level. Stay tuned to learn more about their process for evaluating and creating this technology,...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today to hear an enlightening discussion with Dr. Lynne Parker, Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of the AI Tennessee Initiative at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Parker’s lifelong curiosity within the AI space continues to inspire her to engage with students at all levels across government and academia. As a le...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, where we sat down with Jack Pan, CEO of Ocean Motion Technologies. Jack’s work with Ocean Motion supports small scale off-grid ocean wave energy devices; tools that have been extremely impactful in the defense space. He shared with us the immense difficulties that innovators face within the ocean technology field, and how...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, to hear a conversation with former Special Assistant to the Deputy Director of National Intelligence, John Brennan about his experience with the implementation of AI and emerging technology within government and industry. John discussed his work enabling these capabilities and equipping them with their necessary objectives...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Rob Slaughter, CEO and Culture Executive Officer of Defense Unicorns. Rob sat down with us to discuss his expansive career in software development within both government and industry, and how he was inspired to modernize the digital culture of the department to accommodate its rapidly-evolving atmosphere. Stay tune...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we sat down with Eric Jimenez of the Naval Postgraduate School. Eric’s time with the NPS has exposed him to the many uses and implementations of AI, and what measures should be taken in order to reap its benefits. Listen in as he discussed the importance of providing these new technologies with clear and concise mission statements, an...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, as we are joined by Arun Majumdar, CEO and Co-Founder of Permion. AI. Arun’s background in early software writing and coding served as a fascinating catalyst for his current work specializing in data-oriented computing. Listen in as he discusses the biggest changes he’s witnessed throughout the steady evolution of AI and c...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Dr. Jamese Sims, Strategic Advisor for Federal Partnerships and Deputy Director of the Northern Gulf Institute at Mississippi State University. Dr. Sims sat down with us for a fascinating discussion about how her work uses AI to improve extreme weather forecasting through data collection and meteorology. Stay tuned...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Vince Pecoraro, Lead Program Manager of DAF Digital Transformation Office. Vince’s journey as an innovator was inspired by navigating roadblocks and creating the necessary tools to access software and other resources in the Air Force and with AFWERX. Stay tuned to hear more about the impact of defining the parameters...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Maj. Kelley Jhong, Warfighter in Residence of the Defense Innovation Unit in the Department of Defense Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School. Kelley discussed her journey into AI while serving in the Army, and how that transition while having a non-technical background inspired her to support new training initi...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today as we sit down with Chief Technology Officer of the XVIII Airborne Corps of the US Army, Jock Padgett. Jock’s expertise in accessing and analyzing user data served as a fascinating launchpad for today’s conversation about what kinds of technologies are being implemented within the Army. Tune in as he discusses how crisis re...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Callie King, AI/ML Technical Project Manager at SAIC. Callie shared her journey into technology from journalism, and how that transition revealed to her the importance of understanding the future of the workforce. Stay tuned to learn more about how AI has been a resource for decision making within the government, a...