Radio Stockdale

In this episode of RadioStockdale, host Michael Sears recounts his transformative journey from the Naval Academy to the Marine Corps, civilian life, and back to the Yard at the Stockdale Center. He highlights the enduring lessons of integrity, leadership, and ethical decision-making learned throughout his career. Through personal reflections and professional insights, he emphasizes the importance...

Our guest is the Commandant of Midshipman, Col James Mcdonough, USMC. We discuss how the principles of character and resilience influenced the evolution of his leadership style, from Midshipman to Marine Colonel. We go on to talk about the changing landscape of technology in modern warfare, the evolving role of women in leadership positions, and the increasing emphasis on mental health at the Acad...

How does the Naval Academy balance the potential educational benefits of generative AI with the need to maintain educational integrity and the development of critical thinking skills in Midshipmen? Given the nuanced approach to AI in classroom settings, what challenges have you faced in implementing and enforcing policies on the use of generative AI, and how have these been addressed? How has the...

How might the philosophies of the classical Greeks apply to today's AI technologies? Does the concept of a virtuous life translate into the development and use of artificial intelligence? Given their belief in the value of seeking knowledge as a pathway to virtue, how might this principle apply to the creation of AI systems that learn and evolve? Plato introduces the four cardinal virtues of wisdo...

We are at an inflection point in warfare, just as significant as the introduction of gunpowder or the airplane. The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) is transforming U.S. Joint warfighting and departmental processes through the integration of Artificial Intelligence. Does the JAIC work in the data center, or at the tip of the spear? How does it work with service components, and with civi...

What is the role of AI in modern targeting processes. We explore the delicate balance between human and machine functions, unravel the essence of 'meaningful human control' in AI targeting, and dissect the crucial steps of target development. Delve into how target system analysis enhances our understanding of enemy vulnerabilities and interdependencies. Plus, we examine the ethical dimensions of m...

Responsible AI Governance involves ongoing monitoring and evaluation of AI systems to identify and address potential risks. This proactive approach helps organizations manage risks related to bias, security, and unintended consequences. But why is RAI Governance important and why does it matter? How can one get started when you want to build RAI Governance control functions and mechanisms in your...

We dive deep into the intricacies and ethical considerations of AI development, specifically focusing on OpenAI's Chat-GPT and GPT-4. Join us as we discuss how OpenAI approached the alignment problem, the impact of Human Aligned Reinforcement Learning, and the role of human raters in shaping Chat-GPT. We'll also revisit past AI mishaps like Microsoft's Tay and explore their influence on current AI...

We demystify the technology behind Chat GPT and other generative AI like Google's Bard. Starting from the basics, we explore how Chat GPT functions as an app, generating near-human quality responses. We delve into the mechanics of Large Language Models (LLMs) and how they predict text. The episode also covers the massive scale of training data, computing time, and energy consumption involved in cr...

Artificial Intelligence enhances deterrence capabilities in various ways, contributing to the overall effectiveness of military strategies and national security. Deterrence aims to dissuade adversaries from taking certain actions by convincing them that the costs or risks outweigh the potential benefits. So, how does AI, particularly machine learning, serve as a force multiplier in the development...

When we think of AI, the "elephant in the room" for educators is Plagiarism. This is the third installment from Dr. Jovana Davidovic on AI & Education, this time, addressing Plagiarism. Does the use of AI tools mean plagiarism across the board? What is the connection between Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI, where the machine can write an entire paragraph, a page, or even a book...

We continue our discussion of AI & Education. Data Analytics can inform a teacher as to the relative quality of a student's work. AI can analyze large volumes of educational data to identify trends and patterns related to student performance and engagement. Educators can use this information to make data-driven decisions, such as identifying struggling students early, implementing intervention...

We talk about AI in general, and then get specific on several fronts. What does Personalized Learning mean, and how does AI assist in its application? Are intelligent tutoring systems different from personalized learning? Are there ways to fairly integrate automated grading and feedback into a teacher's workflow? Professor Jovana Davidovic (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa,...

We continue our conversation with CAPT Franky, the senior Naval Special Warfare Officer on the Yard. He breaks down the elements of the exercises that lead to Strength, Speed, Stamina and Stoicism. How do the Wisdom workouts help you know your limits? What does Courage have to do with pushing yourself? How can a Temperance workout lead to patience, moderation, and attention to detail? And finally,...

The Naval Academy's mission begins with the statement: To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically. On this podcast, we talk about one of the ways we combine all of these aspects of the mission into a single set of events. How does mental toughness contribute to physical toughness? Where do the cardinal virtues inform the manner and type of exercises one can do? And how does Accountabil...

Roger Mosby is now the former President and CEO of the Boy Scouts of America. Roger has had a long career in servant leadership. It all began as a sailor, serving in a squadron on the USS Ranger. We talk about Trustworthiness and Loyalty - what it means in the Navy, and what it means to Boy Scouts. How can you trust your co-workers in one of the most dangerous work environments on the planet.

With the rapid pace of technological change today, it's appropriate that we revisit an earlier podcast: Disruptive Technologies. These technologies such as autonomous weapons systems and artificial intelligence are changing the world, and the way militaries operate. These technologies present both risks and opportunities. We address the definition of disruptive technologies, what makes a technolog...

Is Coaching different from Mentorship, and if so, where do they both "fit"? What is the Skill/Will matrix, and how does it work? What makes coaching a powerful tactic to employ within the Skill/Will framework? How does a person's location on the Skill/Will matrix change, and how does one as the leader know to shift between tactics within a conversation? How does coaching, as part of the Skill/Will...

We're talking with the director of rugby at Navy, overseeing the Men's and Women's Rugby programs where both the Men and Women are 2023 National Champions. Rugby is a game of grit, determination and resilience. We talk about the 2023 season, with a special emphasis on the final Men's match against perennial powerhouse the University of California, Berkeley. Navy won, to cap off an 18-0 record in t...

Chaplaincy in the Navy is almost as old as the Navy. But what is chaplaincy, and what do Chaplains do? How does a Navy Chaplain work within the leadership structure of a ship or unit, to support the Commanding Officer and her responsibility in the moral, mental and physical mission? Where does the concept of confidential communication come from, and why is it so critical and necessary for a Sailor...

Consistent communication, from the highest level, to all levels of the nearly 1-million-person Department of the Navy is rare. Why is that so unique, and why did our guest think it was so important. These communications were called Vectors. What is a Vector? How were they produced, and what was the process of producing them? With all of the other activity going on at the same time, how did these w...

Dark Waters is an interactive scenario case study about a collision at sea between a US Navy Destroyer and a tanker. Sailors are trapped in spaces that are quickly flooding, and the protagonist must make the recommendation to close the hatch, and thereby save the ship. In so doing, those sailors would perish. It is used in Plebe Leadership, and Youngster Ethics classes. It is part of the Stockdale...

Maritime Security is a complex case study, where a junior officer must decide among several different outcomes, none of which are optimal from a mission and moral standing. This case is not an outlier, but a representation of what young sailors face in the fleet daily. How does one balance the accomplishment of the mission, with the fact that lives are at stake, both innocents and those who have t...

Allyship is a series of case studies that follows the interactions of Midshipmen in various scenarios. After witnessing an event or comment by a third part friend and colleague, the protagonist is put into a situation where s\he must decide why and how to support a different friend who has been assailed by that inappropriate ugly event. This case study addresses your responsibilities as an Ally, w...