CDAO Deputy Says AI, Automation Helping Combatant Commands Streamline Work

A Department of Defense official said during the Intel Public Sector Summit on Tuesday that artificial intelligence is helping military personnel improve their work.

According to Margie Palmieri, deputy chief digital and AI officer at the Chief Digital and AI Office, combatant commanders have been using AI and other automation and digitization tools to make data-driven decisions under the DOD’s AI and data acceleration initiative. Palmieri said commanders have found it easier to access information since ADA was established in 2021, Defense One reported Wednesday.

She added that the benefits of AI under ADA can also be seen across the Pentagon, and even basic analytics can significantly affect agencies.

Besides the Pentagon, federal agencies across the United States have also adopted the emerging technology in stride.

According to the AI .gov database, the federal government has over 700 AI use cases. The departments of Energy and Health and Human Services disclosed over 150 use cases, while other agencies submitted less than 50 each.

Lynne Parker, an AI expert who worked on a Trump administration AI executive order, said compiling the use cases allows agencies to see what others are doing and learn about various potential applications of AI.