Spring Symposium: How AI is Transforming the IC

April 4, 2024 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM INSA/NRECA Conference Center, Arlington, VA

Registration Fees

On Thursday, April 4, 2024, more than 300 intelligence and national security professionals gathered in Arlington, VA for our Spring Symposium: How AI is Transforming the IC. The full-day program was jam-packed with keynotes, ignite rounds, and panel discussions focused on data challenges, ethics & oversight, innovation, and the way ahead.

View event photos!

Morning Keynote

Session recording courtesy of Intel!

The morning kicked off with keynote remarks from Dr. John Beieler, ADNI for Science & Technology, ODNI. Dr. Beieler discussed the forthcoming intelligence community AI strategy, how government and industry must continue to develop the workforce to remain competitive, and how he sees the role of AI technologies in daily analysis in the coming years.

AI Ready? Challenges From a Data-Centric Viewpoint

Session recording courtesy of Intel!

Speakers:

Brandy Durham, VP, AI Practice, ManTech
Mark Munsell, Director, Data and Innovation, NGA
Lori Wade, IC CDO, ADNI, for Data and Partnership Interoperability, ODNI
Teresa Smetzer, CEO, Smetzer Associates, LLC (moderator)

Panelists discussed how AI models must be built with a strong foundation that can work efficiently in high-speed environments and easily accept and adapt to large amounts of data. Automation was highlighted as a key priority. The panel concluded with thoughts on the ability for AI's output to be accepted and trusted by intelligence analysts in the field. It was agreed that confidence from analysts will be dependent on the proper deployment of these programs, secure models, and successful training.

Ignite Rounds: AI and the Future of Human-Machine Teaming

Session recording courtesy of Intel!

Rachael Martin, Director, Maven Office, Data and Digital Innovation, NGA discussed human-machine teaming and the importance of testing and evaluation for measuring the effectiveness of AI-enabled workflow.

Maggie Smith, NSP Emerging Technologies Director, Accenture Federal Services, discussed Accenture’s implementation of generative AI in data analysis.

Stuart Wagner, Former Chief Digital Transformation Officer, U.S. Air Force, discussed how Big Tech’s use of telemetry in adaptation can be applied to defense.

Rounding out the series, Larry Taxson, Chief of CLOUDworks, Directorate of Digital Innovation, CIA, underscored the potential of human-machine teaming to enhance OSINT analysis through smart feedback loops and the deployment of generative AI.

AI Ethics and Oversight

Session recording courtesy of Intel!

Speakers:

John Keefe, Special Assistant to the President, Sr. Director for Cyber Policy, NSC
Marisa Lightfoot, Senior Director, EY-Parthenon
Lucy Lim, Research Scientist, Google
Lindsay Rodman, Deputy Associate General Council (Intel), DoD
Glenn Gerstell, Senior Advisor, CSIS (moderator)

Panelists discussed how biases in AI are inevitable, however, biases can be incorporated into generative models making AI self-aware and flagging biases for review. Ms. Rodman stressed the need to honor laws regarding privacy and use. Meanwhile, Ms. Lim touched on data hygiene, being cognizant that only clean and approved data goes into the model to avoid corruption. The panel closed out by speaking on the importance of abiding by ethical frameworks.

Innovation: Shaping the Future of AI

Session recording courtesy of Intel!

Speakers:

Jimmy L. Hall, Jr., CIO/Director, Technology & Innovation Office, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, U.S. Department of State
Robin Brown, Program Executive Officer, Chief Technology Office, DIA
Sri Iyer, Principal Emerging Technology Lead, National Security, AWS
Chip Usher, Senior Director for Intelligence, Special Competitive Studies Project
Patrick Biltgen, PhD, Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton (moderator)

Discussion centered on the strategic implementation of AI technologies within the IC, focusing on mission objectives and operational workflows. Panelists addressed the importance of mission-centric AI applications, the need for collaboration between AI and human decision-making processes, and challenges such as data accessibility, security, and scalability. The panelists also discussed technical challenges, including accreditation struggles and infrastructure requirements, and the importance of industry-government collaboration to overcome these obstacles. The discussion concluded by underscoring the significance of partnerships with academia, industry, and FFRDCs for talent acquisition and technology innovation, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to AI integration within the IC.

Fireside Chat

Session recording courtesy of Intel!

Sheetal Patel, Assistant Director, Transnational and Technology Mission Center, CIA
Dawn Meyerriecks, Senior Fellow, MITRE (moderator)

Ms. Patel discussed her mission center's focus on the national security implications of emerging technologies such as 5G/6G, advanced computing, and biotech, alongside critical transnational issues like energy, climate food security, and migration. With an eye on China's advancements and intentions, the mission center seeks to understand and analyze foreign technological development across these arenas. Closing out the conversation, Ms. Patel stressed the need to initiate outreach with industry on gaps and innovation as industry will be the competitive edge for avoiding strategic surprises by adversaries.

Speakers

Keynote Speakers

All Speakers

Moderators

Agenda

8:00-9:00 am
Registration and Breakfast

9:00-10:00 am
Morning Keynote

Dr. John Beieler, Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Science & Technology, ODNI

10:00-11:00 am
AI Ready? Challenges From a Data-Centric Viewpoint

Bruce Bauman, Chief Data Officer, NSA/CSS
Brandy Durham, VP, AI Practice, ManTech
Mark Munsell, Director, Data and Digital Innovation, NGA
Lori Wade, IC Chief Data Officer, ODNI
Teresa Smetzer, CEO, Smetzer Associates, LLC (moderator)

11:00-11:15 am
Break

11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Ignite Rounds: AI and the Future of Human-Machine Teaming

Rachael Martin, Director, Maven Office, Data and Digital Innovation, NGA
Jeff Smeraglinolo, CEO, Apira Technologies
Maggie Smith, NSP Emerging Technologies Director, Accenture Federal Services
Larry Taxson, Chief of CLOUDworks, Directorate of Digital Innovation, CIA
Stuart Wagner, Former Chief Digital Transformation Officer, U.S. Air Force

12:00-1:00 pm
Lunch

1:00-1:15 pm
INSA Technology & Innovation Council: AI Survey results

1:15-2:15 pm
AI Ethics and Oversight Panel

John Keefe, Special Assistant to the President, Sr. Director for Cyber Policy, National Security Council
Marisa Lightfoot, Sr. Director, EY-Parthenon
Lucy Lim, Research Scientist, Google
Lindsay Rodman, Deputy Associate General Council (Intelligence), DoD
Glenn Gerstell, Senior Advisor, CSIS (moderator)

2:15-2:30 pm
Break

2:30-3:30 pm
Innovation: Shaping the Future of AI Panel

Jimmy L. Hall, Jr., CIO/Director, Technology and Innovation Office, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, U.S. Dept of State
E.P. Mathew, Deputy CIO, DIA
Sri Iyer, Principal Emerging Technology Lead, National Security, AWS
Chip Usher, Senior Director for Intelligence, Special Competitive Studies Project
Patrick Biltgen, PhD, Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton (moderator)

3:30-4:30 pm
Closing Keynote

Sheetal Patel, Asst. Dir., Transnational and Technology Mission Center, CIA
Dawn Meyerriecks, Senior Fellow, MITRE (moderator)

4:30-5:30 pm
Closing Reception at Grand Cru

Location:
INSA/NRECA Conference Center
4301 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22203

Parking:
- Garage parking available
- Metro accessible (Ballston/MU) on Orange and Silver line.

Dress Attire:
Business

Press Policy:
This event is open to the press. For credentials, please email pr@insaonline.org.

Spring Symposium: How AI is Transforming the IC

Registration Fees

Morning Keynote

AI Ready? Challenges From a Data-Centric Viewpoint

Ignite Rounds: AI and the Future of Human-Machine Teaming

AI Ethics and Oversight

Innovation: Shaping the Future of AI

Fireside Chat

Speakers

Keynote Speakers

All Speakers

Moderators

Agenda

Sponsors