Trained the national security workforce

Developing AI literacy in the military

As new technologies make their way onto the battlefield, soldiers need to stay up to date to remain resilient and capable.

In response to this need, GSI helped create artificial intelligence and machine learning training to incorporate into the Warrant Officer Advanced Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The training was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and the Army Research Laboratory and served as a primer for military intelligence soldiers on artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science.

“As new technologies like AI are developed and implemented, it’s important that we include the perspectives of multiple stakeholders to make sure our approaches are relevant and solve real-world problems,” said Jamie Winterton, GSI’s former senior director of strategy. “Engaging with the Chief Warrant Officers gave us great insights into how we can effectively teach AI and machine learning to new audiences, and how we can build new AI systems to solve Army problems."

The seminar featured a lecture by Chitta Baral, professor at the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and a GSI affiliate. After the lecture, students separated into small practical exercise groups where they worked with data scientists to develop a presentation on an intelligence function that could benefit from artificial intelligence and machine learning.

“Our adversaries are certainly focused on implementing AI in their military,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jonathan Berry, a student from the Utah National Guard’s 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion. “So in order to stay relevant in future conflicts, AI certainly does need to be implemented."

Building the government’s cybersecurity workforce

There are an estimated 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide, 750,000 of which are in the U.S.

Since 2017, students interested in filling that gap have enrolled in the National Science Foundation Scholarship for Service program at ASU focused on cybersecurity.

The NSF CyberCorps program accommodates students interested in earning undergraduate or graduate degrees, and all students who enroll are involved in cybersecurity research.

“Students who enroll can focus on many different areas that influence and build upon cybersecurity, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, networking, embedded devices and more,” said Adam Doupé, director of GSI's Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations.

Students who are accepted into the program receive a scholarship covering full-time tuition and education-related fees, a health insurance reimbursement, a professional development allowance, a book allowance, and a stipend. In exchange for their scholarships, recipients agree to work after graduation for a federal government agency in a position related to cybersecurity.

“Right now, the supply side of cybersecurity talent is not meeting the demand,” Doupé said. “This program is an excellent way to encourage students to enter into and study cybersecurity, while at the same time giving back to the public sector and government. Additionally, breaches such as the Equifax hack highlight the need for competent and qualified cybersecurity professionals in all areas and industries.”