Defense Mavericks

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Ashish Bansal, Engineering Lead at Google. Ashish took us through the process of microchip design and what kinds of processes they help to streamline, as well as the attention to detail that programming requires. Stay tuned to hear more about what goes into refining the user experience on platforms like Twitch and...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Anil Chaudhry, Director of Technology and Ecosystem Security for the Office of the National Cyber Director. Anil’s dedication to leadership and public service throughout his career inspired him to use AI to support those outcomes. Listen in to learn about what he believes is the most efficient way to stay current with...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Nicolas Chaillan, the former first U.S. Air Force and Space Force Chief Software Officer. Nicolas sat down with us today to discuss his early work with the Department of Homeland Security, Platform One, and the legacy his incentives have left within the department. Tune in to learn more about how the government sho...

Join us on another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, as we sit down with Pamela Isom, CEO & Founder of IsAdvice & Consulting, LLC. Pamela shared with us her accomplishments within the AI space both professionally and personally, and what she hopes will be put in place for the next era of innovators. Listen in to hear what she believes will help drive and support equit...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Dr. Bill Streilein, Chief Technology Officer of the CDAO. Dr. Streilein sat down with us to discuss some of the most exciting topics in the world of AI, including a recently published open-letter critiquing different kinds of AI capabilities. Tune in as he shares how his work with the CDAO is encouraging a new era...

Today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today features Chief Roboticist of the U.S. Army, Dr. Bob Sadowski. Dr. Sadowski shares his journey into robotics and how it sparked an interest in working with AI and emerging technology. These tools helped him to assist in investing in innovation within the US Army. Stay tuned to learn more about the ways AI is being integrated as a founda...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Donny Davis, Chief Technologist for Open Source Software at ID Technologies. Donny shared how his exposure to complex systems during his time in the Army served as a catalyst for his interest in designing emerging technologies. Stay tuned to hear more about what he’s learned during his career working with AI and why h...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, COL Kristin Saling sat down with us to discuss her work as the director of CG’s Innovation Cell at Army HRC, a role that requires data analysis and addressing the needs of each cohort in order to assign the required assistance and leadership. Tune in to learn more about the way AI is aiding these processes and how her team is creat...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today to hear a conversation with Rob Johnston, Chief Scientist of Johnston Analytics. Rob sits down with us to discuss how his position as the former CIA Lessons Learned Officer taught him the importance of prioritizing the core functions within an organization, ultimately inspiring him to start his own. Listen in to hear more a...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Amelie Koran, Director of External Technology Relations at Electronic Arts. She shared with us the highlights of her impressive career ranging from the federal government to Disney, and how she’s always inspired to find the fun in work she’s doing–whether in gameplay or cybersecurity. Stay tuned to learn more about ho...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today to hear a conversation with Dr. Mona Sloane, sociologist, assistant professor and researcher of Artificial intelligence and Society Research at New York University. Dr. Sloane has been an influential figure in restructuring the collective understanding of design and technology within social constructs. Listen in to hear a r...

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by James Freeman, Founder and President of the Emerging Technology Institute. James turned his passion for using AI and technology to solve problems into a center for exploration and research through ETI. Tune in as he discusses the kinds of challenges ETI tackles on a daily basis and what projects they’re embarking o...

On this episode of AI Proficiency, Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by author and consultant  JL Hancock. JL describes how his background in the Navy exposed him to cutting-edge resources, serving as the foundation for his interest in spearheading his own projects. Tune in to learn more about why he was inspired to take risks in the field of emerging technologies, his detailed proce...

In this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Douglas Bennett, Co-CEO of AURA Technologies. Douglass sits down with us to share how he's been successful in running a company with his wife Anna, and how AURA's Co-CEO model has created a foundation for innovative collaboration. Tune in to hear how AURA has allowed Douglas to expand his framework for the future of A...

Our guest on this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today is Nicolai Wadstrom, CEO, Founder, and General Partner of BootstrapLabs. His firm has been modernizing the way investors find and support technology-based startups across the country. Nicolai's interest in exploring the uncharted territory of AI led him to provide resources for entrepreneurs who are using that technology to c...

In today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Captain Brian Erickson, the Chief Data Officer for the US Coast Guard. Captain Erickson discusses how his background as an aeronautical engineer served as a catalyst for his current role with the US Coast Guard and how AI literacy has been an influential tool for moving his team forward. Listen in as he shares how...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today to hear a conversation with Ben McMartin, Senior Fellow at the Center for Government Contracting, George Mason University. Ben shares his introduction to Other Transitions (OTs), their steady evolution over the last decade, and the future of government contracting within the Department of Defense. CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/...

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today as we sit down with our guest, Eric Sanchez, the director of the Physical Science Laboratory at New Mexico State University. He shares the lessons that shaped during his time in the military, how to maintain personal goals in a constantly-evolving field, and the necessary tools for effective leadership. CDAO: https://www.ai...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Alexandr Wang, Founder and CEO of Scale AI. Alexandr has been a leading force in the future of AI innovation and sat down with us to discuss what challenges inspired him to start his company. Join us to learn more about the rising demand for high-quality data in the field, how AI should be properly utilized as a tool...

In today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Dr. Joshua Elliott; Program Manager at DARPA. Dr. Elliot sat down with us to discuss how he works to integrate AI as a way to create modern opportunities and target issues. Stay tuned to learn more about his role in creating technologies that make human workflows more efficient and the importance of proper educatio...

In today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Dr. Brooke Ellison, President of Brooke Ellison Leadership and Inclusion Strategies, LLC and associate professor at Stony Brook University. Dr. Ellison has spent her life advocating for those with disabilities, creating change through policy and education, and continues to inspire others with her story. Listen in t...

Join us on this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today as we chat with co-founder and CEO of Valid Evaluation Adam Rentschler. We'll be unpacking the importance of providing feedback for complex problems and data analysis as he shares his company's success in creating a culture of open communication. Listen in as we discuss how these resources can be used to solve issues in the gov...

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we sat down with Colonel Scott Helmore, the Joint Robotics and Autonomous Systems Enterprise Acquisition Manager under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to discuss the need for AI literacy in the workforce. He went into detail about his background and how he's been successful in using AI as a reliable solution to cu...

Learn how to manuever and enjoy the changes being made in the constantly evolving world of technology with today's guest, Motivational Improvisor, Avish Parashar, from Avish Parashar Productions! Listen in as he shares his approach solving complex technical problems using lessons he has learned through years of improv work, especially as it relates to AI. Disruptive ideas for innovation have helpe...

Listen in as we hear from guest speaker Marshall Brain, the Director of the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program at North Carolina State University and the founder and creator of Howstuffworks.com. He shares how his creative mind looks to figure out how everything around him works and finds opportunities to improve solutions to issues he sees. Hear how he turned this hobby into a startup company and...