Press Release
☷Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks Keynote on The Global AI Contest at the Advantage DOD 2024 Defense Data AI Symposium in Washington D C As Delivered
U.S. Department of Defense ( By Press Release office)
Feb 23,2024
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Thank you so much , Craig [Martell] , and hey everyone! You know , with all the executive orders , strategy rollouts , summits , hackathons , and symposia like this one , we ' ve all been doing a ton of AI - ing lately . So just to clarify , whenever I speak at a podium , there will always be a human involved . ( Laughs . ) I know , I know , this community has been on quite a journey over the past few years . In some ways , it ' s a journey that started way before many of us were even born—before Moore ' s Law became a thing . You ' re building on a legacy that goes back to the brilliant minds like Ada Lovelace , Alan Turing , and Admiral Grace Hopper . And let ' s not forget J . C . R . Licklider , who paved the way for AI research at Stanford , MIT , and Carnegie Mellon back in the 1960s . It ' s a legacy that has continued for over 60 years , with the DoD investing in AI and using it for various purposes . And tech companies have taken those breakthroughs and turned them into products that people use every day . Of course , in recent years , machine learning has brought even more innovation to AI , a lot of which has happened outside of the government . So now , our job in the Defense Department is to embrace those innovations and use them to enhance our military capabilities . Secretary Austin and I have made it a priority to modernize our military with data - driven and AI - powered systems . The reason is simple: these technologies give us a major advantage over our adversaries , especially China . AI - enabled systems can help us make faster , more accurate decisions , which can be crucial in preventing and winning battles . But it ' s not just about warfare . We also have to manage the world ' s largest enterprise , with millions of employees , a massive healthcare system , and assets spread across the globe . The value of our assets is mind - boggling , even compared to giants like Amazon and Apple . So at this scale , we have to leverage data and AI to be smarter and more efficient with taxpayer money . So in 2022 , we brought together four different digital , AI , and analytics teams under a Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer ( CDAO ) who reports directly to the Secretary of Defense . The CDAO ' s job is to help the Department of Defense adopt data , analytics , and AI more quickly . Thanks to this effort , we now have rules for how all DoD data should be handled . Data interoperability , access , and trustworthiness are crucial for AI , command and control , and modernizing the Defense Department . We ' ve also deployed data scientists to all Combatant Commands and the Pentagon to help with data modernization . Task Force Lima is exploring advanced AI tools , and we ' re working with international partners to develop responsible AI policies . We ' re investing in cloud computing , network infrastructure , and more to support data and AI across DoD . Our goal is to improve joint operations and combat integration through Combined Joint All - Domain Command and Control . We ' re moving quickly on this , with new capabilities being developed and delivered every 90 days . Our ultimate goal is to enhance our capabilities for joint operations and combat integration , and we ' ve made significant progress towards that . But with a lot of teamwork from various teams , including operators , engineers from DoD and industry , they successfully delivered the CJADC2 capability on time . This involved combining various software applications , live data integration , new operational concepts , and engaging warfighters worldwide to enhance decision - making for DoD and military commanders . The software rebels have proven their success , showcasing the power of technology in empowering warfighters quickly . The focus now is on building and deploying a solid data and communications architecture to further advance our capabilities . It ' s important to be adaptable and stay ahead of the curve in our approach , with CDAO playing a crucial role in our development . While these efforts are enhancing U . S . capabilities significantly , they are not indicative of an AI arms race . Data and AI are seen as fundamental technologies that , like electricity , have transformative potential in the military domain . The U . S . is currently leading in utilizing these technologies effectively , thanks to our superior resources , talent , and ethical considerations . We are committed to maintaining this advantage . Despite the challenges , we are making progress in modernizing the Defense Department . It ' s an ongoing effort that requires constant learning and adaptation . We are committed to staying ahead of our global competitors and will continue to evolve to meet future challenges . Our focus is on improving data sharing and ensuring the security and accuracy of our AI systems . We need Congress to pass our funding for 2024 as soon as possible , as it is essential for our advancements . Our outdated processes are holding us back , and we need to adapt to the modern era of innovation led by the private sector . Our advantage comes from the people building and using AI , as well as our approach to it . America will always excel in these areas . We need to keep improving AI to make it faster , smarter , and more secure . The CDAO is crucial in driving change quickly and effectively throughout the military . We need to keep improving how we attract and keep talented individuals , especially those in high demand in the private sector . We ' re lucky to have skilled data scientists , software engineers , and analysts on our team who choose to serve despite other career options . Many top tech professionals are now choosing to work with us , leaving well - paying jobs at companies like Lyft , Apple , and Google AI . They understand the importance of the competition we ' re in with the PRC and want to contribute to our country ' s success . While patriotism and public service are important motivators , factors like pay , workplace culture , and support for families also play a key role . It ' s important to provide the tools and support needed for our employees to succeed . Just like we focus on delivering quality products , we need to continually improve our organizations . Governing at the enterprise level is challenging , but with the right data and talent , the CDAO is leading the way in digital analytics and AI implementation . As we integrate these technologies into various aspects of our mission , such as battlespace awareness , cyber operations , and logistics , we are aware of the potential risks and are committed to avoiding them . We use data and AI responsibly , without censoring or controlling people , and we prioritize innovation that aligns with our values . Our country ' s innovation ecosystem thrives because of our commitment to responsible use of technology and our dedication to our people . Despite the complexities of navigating data and AI in a rapidly changing landscape , we believe it is essential for empowering our warfighters and maintaining our competitive edge . We must act quickly , but also ensure safety and security are prioritized to be effective . Balancing responsibility and speed is crucial for achieving our mission and benefiting the nation and the world . Thank you for your support .
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