2026 Spring Symposium Recap

On Tuesday, April 14, nearly 250 intelligence and national security professionals gathered in Arlington, VA for our Spring Symposium, The Data-Driven Enterprise: Building, Buying, and Deploying Capabilities at Mission Speed. 

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Morning Keynote

The day kicked off with keynote remarks from Dr. Charles Clancy, SVP and GM, MITRE Labs, and CTO MITRE, who discussed the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into national security missions. He emphasized the need for intelligence-specific AI capabilities that can better leverage unique data modalities, as well as the potential for multi-INT integration to deliver more comprehensive insights. Dr. Clancy also highlighted the importance of building trust in AI systems amid concerns around reliability, while underscoring AI's growing role as a collaborator which can automate routine tasks and enable analysts to focus on higher-value work. 

Building a Data-Driven Enterprise

Speakers: 

• Leslie Beavers, Former CIO, DoD, and CEO and Managing Director, LB Insights (moderator)
• Richard Klein, Deputy Chief Data Officer, CIA
• Dr. Dylon Young, Deputy Chief Data Officer, DIA
• Dr. Amy Soller, Former DoW Senior Executive and AI Industry SME
• Dr. Kristen Summers, VP and Technical Fellow, Data and AI, MANTECH
  

Panelists focused on the priorities and challenges facing data and AI officers across the IC. They noted that while agencies are making progress toward data-driven operation, legacy systems, bandwidth constraints, and integration of commercial technologies into classified environments remain major hurdles. Panelists highlighted the shift from generative to agentic AI as essential to managing data overload and improving mission outcomes. They stressed the importance of transparency, selective modernization, and maintaining human expertise to ensure as AI capabilities expand, critical thinking and sound judgment remain central to decision making. 

Ignite Rounds: From Concept to Capability. From Capability to Advantage.

Dr. Anna Rubinstein, Former Chief of Responsible AI, NGA, and Director of AI and Autonomy Testing, Anduril, shared how building justified confidence in AI advantage requires rigorous testing, responsible implementation, and trust in autonomous systems to ensure AI capabilities can be relied upon in mission-critical environments. 

Dr. John Elder, VP and Technical Fellow for Data Science, MANTECH, discussed the current crisis in science, emphasizing challenges in reproducibility, data quality, and trust, while outlining practical ways organizations can restore rigor and innovation in scientific research. 

Melissa Weise Hartley, Senior Manager, AWS National Security, highlighted the promise of agentic AI, explaining how autonomous and adaptive AI systems can accelerate intelligence processes, enhance decision-making, and improve operational responsiveness.

Dr. S. Didi Kuo, Principal Deputy Director, GEOINT Systems Acquisition Directorate, NRO, examined the future of space-based GEOINT in a data-driven world, focusing on how advanced analytics, scalable architectures, and next-generation collection systems are transforming geospatial intelligence capabilities.

Accelerating Emerging Tech Adoption

Speakers:

• Alexis Kovalchick, IC Growth Lead, Deloitte (moderator)
• David Cadman, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Acquisition, Dept. of War
• John Pistolessi, Senior Acquisition Executive, DIA
• Trey Treadwell, Associate Director for Capabilities, NGA
• Frank Puleo, VP, Sales for Government, Defense & Intelligence, Oracle

Speakers discussed how to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies across national security missions, emphasizing a shift from rigid, compliance-driven acquisition toward more integrated, portfolio-based approaches. They highlighted the need to equip portfolio managers with better data access and decision authority to break down silos and align resources with mission outcomes. Panelists underscored that emerging technologies, particularly AI and commercial solutions, remain underutilized and that closer collaboration with industry is essential to move capabilities into operational use more quickly. They also pointed to persistent challenges, including legacy systems, funding constraints, and risk-averse cultures. Ultimately, speakers called for more flexible use of authorities and a greater willingness to experiment to deliver capabilities at speed while maintaining accountability.

Deploying and Scaling AI for National Security Missions

Speakers:

• George Barnes, President, Red Cell Cyber Practice (moderator)
• Col Jesse Rosenbaum, USAF, Chief Data and AI Officer, U.S. Space Force Intelligence
• Peter Ranks, Chief Strategy Officer, GRVTY
• Peter Kant, CEO, Enabled Intelligence

Panelists discussed the key barriers to AI adoption in national security missions, emphasizing that trust and cultural resistance remain the primary challenges. They highlighted the tension between strict security compartmentalization and AI systems' need for large, integrated datasets, underscoring the importance of effective data conditioning. Panelists stressed the urgency of moving beyond isolated pilot programs toward scalable infrastructure and faster acquisition models to stay ahead of global adversaries. They also called for stronger collaboration between government and industry to bridge the gap between pilots and enterprise adoption, reinforcing that AI should enhance decision-making while maintaining human judgment and accountability. 

Closing Fireside Chat

Speakers:

• Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg, President, INSA (moderator)
• Andrew Mapes, Acting Principal Deputy Chief Digital and AI Officer, Dept. of War
• Robert Malpass, Deputy Chief Digital & AI Officer for Intelligence, Dept. of War

The day closed out with Mr. Mapes and Mr. Malpass underscoring the need to rapidly scale AI proficiency across the Department of War, emphasizing that workforce readiness, institutional learning, and sustained leadership engagement are critical to delivering real mission impact. They noted that the U.S. maintains a strategic edge due to strength of its defense and technology sectors, but warned that the greater risk is falling behind in the AI race by not moving fast enough. They also highlighted how overly complex approval process continue to slow adoption and pointed to the growing role of agentic AI in expanding capability for small teams, enabling the analysis of large volumes of data with fewer personnel and supporting a more sustained operational advantage. 

Book, Podcast, and Series Recommendations

Amy Soller, Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War
John Pistolessi, What You're Made For: Powerful Life Lesson from My Career in Sports
Trey Treadwell, Diary of a CEO (podcast)
Frank Puleo, The ABCs of AI 
Peter Kant: The Rest is History (podcast)
Pete Ranks:  Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China 
Col Jesse Rosenbaum, USAF, The Next Renaissance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential 
Robert Malpass: The Madison (Streaming Series)
Andrew Mapes: The Frontrunner: The Life of Steve Prefontaine and Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable
Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg: The Correspondent