Defense Mavericks

This week, we break down the defense playbook with Brigadier General Jasper Jeffers III, Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counter-Terrorism. He dives into lessons learned from the infamous Patriots vs. Seahawks Super Bowl game in 2015 and how these principles apply not only to military operations but also to the world of technology and AI. From the importance of teamwork and integration to the role of human capital in achieving success, we explore what it takes to build a winning playbook. TIMESTAMPS: (01:54) The missing piece for a Seahawks win in Super Bowl XLIX (04:00) Why you can’t tech your way out of a problem (05:47) How to find talent in unexpected places (07:48) Why execution is hard (11:29) How to prepare for time-sensitive decisions (13:55) Assume uncertainty, build margin, pivot quickly (17:05) Why experience at lower level shapes perspective (19:31) Army Mad Scientist writing contest explores democratization of AI LINKS: Follow Jasper Jeffers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasper-jeffers-321131102/ Follow Bonnie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-evangelista-520747231/ CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/ Tradewinds AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/

In this episode of Defense Mavericks, Bonnie is joined by Dr. Dolores Kuchina-Mucina, Chief Disruptor at REXOTA Solutions and an expert in practicing and executing other transaction authorities (OTs). They explore the misconceptions surrounding OTs, the value of two-page contracts, and the importance of coloring outside the lines when it comes to contract frameworks. Dolores shares her insights on what it truly means to be “innovative” in this space. TIMESTAMPS [01:38] Getting a PhD in OTs. [03:39] Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs). [07:05] Academic works on contracting. [11:12] Using different colors of money. [15:51] Using OTs appropriately. [18:00] Emphasis on going fast. [22:13] The hackathon event. [25:02] Innovation and its challenges. [29:46] Overuse of the word "innovation". [32:50] OTs and their significance. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Andrew Bowne Dissertation: https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/handle/2440/138369 CONNECT: Follow Dolores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkuchinamusina/ Follow Bonnie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-evangelista-520747231/ CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/ Tradewind AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/

AI Proficiency is now Defense Mavericks! We’re excited to take this show to the next level as we hone in on the untapped potential of AI within the federal government. Join us as we dive into authentic and disruptive conversations with our nation’s brightest minds, offering a fresh perspective on how to gain an unfair advantage through the adoption of new, emerging technology. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge, education, and best practices you need to shorten the learning curve toward government transformation. We tackle the inherent challenges of working within the crunchy, traditional government system, and together, we explore emerging methods, cutting-edge technologies, and transformative strategies that will accelerate the future of defense.

Join us for another episode of ‘AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today’ to hear an insightful discussion with Krista Kinnard, Director of Innovation and Engineering at U.S. Department of Labor OCIO. Across the department, major changes to data collection, automation processes, and other vital tasks have made way for the implementation of AI tools which Krista credits as being a big step in the department’s innovation journey. With a background in public service, she has been able to witness the impacts these new capabilities can have when handled safely and responsibly. Listen in to hear more about how her work is supporting  the training, education, and transparency around the use of AI within the Department of Labor. CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/  Tradewind AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/  Alethia Labs: https://alethialabs.org/  ATARC: https://atarc.org/

Join us for another episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today to hear a conversation with Dr. Ola Olude-Afolabi, AI PM & Visionary at the Office of the Chief Technology Officer in the U.S. Department of Commerce. Through Dr. Olude-Afolabi's work with the Department of Commerce, she has been able to see the successful integration of AI across different agencies. Though she and her team rely on new AI models, the foundations of these tools have been in use for decades. Stay tuned to learn more about what is required to ensure updated regulations for them, and why innovation and collaboration are incentives for the implementation of these capabilities. CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/  Tradewind AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/  Alethia Labs: https://alethialabs.org/  ATARC: https://atarc.org/

On today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by  Drew Malloy, Technical Director of the  Cyber Development Directorate for the Defense Information Systems Agency. Drew sat down with us to discuss Project Thunderdome within the department as an initiative to further cybersecurity and Zero Trust efforts, and their goals to improve security as well as performance. Listen in to learn more about how they are implementing AI as a resource to ensure efficiency in data collection and security measures.  CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/  Tradewind AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/  Alethia Labs: https://alethialabs.org/  ATARC: https://atarc.org/

In this episode, Jade Baranski, Co-Founder and CEO of Mobilize, discusses the impact of collaboration and problem-solving in the tech industry. They explore the benefits and challenges of transitioning from services to technology, and the importance of innovation in healthcare, education, and government. They also highlight the role of technology and AI in creating data integrity and generating decision-making opportunities. Plus, they emphasize the power of mentorship in making a difference and discuss writing a memoir on the impact of mentorship.

Today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today features a discussion with Dr. Dorothy Leidner, Leslie H. Goldberg Jefferson Scholars Foundation Distinguished Professor in AI Ethics at the University of Virginia. Dr. Leidner’s lifelong fascination with technology continues to inspire her to explore as well as interrogate the consequences of their use within society. Stay tuned to hear more about what we need to understand as we create ethical frameworks around new AI models, and why ensuring the right to behavioral dignity must be a central theme moving forward. CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/  Tradewind AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/  Alethia Labs: https://alethialabs.org/  ATARC: https://atarc.org/

On this episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today, we are joined by Maynard Holliday, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies at the United States Department of Defense. Maynard’s background as a mechanical engineer served as an exceptional introduction into the world of AI, and credits media representation as also being an especially powerful influence. As a result, he is dedicated to ensuring that proper representation is a foundational principle when training new models in the AI space. Tune in to hear more about his work with the Department of Defense to support new implementations of AI while making sure they are deployed responsibly and equitably.  CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/  Tradewind AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/  Alethia Labs: https://alethialabs.org/  ATARC: https://atarc.org/

Today’s episode of AI Proficiency: Turning Tomorrow into Today features a conversation with Dr. Charles Clancy, Senior Vice President of MITRE and head of MITRE Labs. As we embark on an era of large language models and generative AI tools, Dr. Clancy’s work with MTIRE has been influential in figuring out the best ways for them to augment user performance. Tune in to learn more about what Dr. Clancy has been witnessing while at the forefront of implementing these new technologies, and why understanding the levels of responsibility needed when utilizing these tools is the next step to ensuring that they are properly regulated.  CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/  Tradewind AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/  Alethia Labs: https://alethialabs.org/  ATARC: https://atarc.org/