Army Enhances Testing with AI
Source: army.mil
Army Explores AI for Developmental Testing
New Mexico State University hosted a seminar in late May on improving developmental testing with artificial intelligence. Participants came from across the country, representing the Army Test and Evaluation Command. The Defense Learning Certificate program, a collaboration between New Mexico State University Physical Science Lab and White Sands Missile Range, aims to develop a skilled workforce within the Department of Defense. Expert trainers from Chieftain Elite Consulting lead this program.
The weeklong event at NMSU's Domenici Hall concluded a four-week online program combining virtual learning with discussions. White Sands Test Center Commander Col. Matthew Johnson opened the seminar on May 19. Twenty-three ATEC participants prepared findings and presented them on May 23.
ATEC's AI Workforce
Marcella Shelby, DED Strategic Initiatives Officer, stated that the course's purpose is to create an AI workforce using relevant technology to meet operational goals in developmental testing and evaluation.
Over the past two years, NMSU-PSL and WSMR have expanded the Defense Leadership Certificate program. It grew from one to five classes and now includes other ATEC installations. Other courses include Leadership and Team Building, Effective Communications, Mentorship, and Technical Writing. Jeff Vargas, the President and CEO of Generationology LLC, was brought in for the Improving Developmental Testing with Artificial Intelligence, Effective Communications, and Mentorship courses.
AI Streamlines Hazard Analysis
The capstone seminar featured group presentations demonstrating the participants' work to integrate AI into developmental testing. They presented to peers and answered questions from judges. The groups focused on AI-driven hazard analysis testing. ATEC professionals presented that an AI solution will expedite hazard analysis, enabling faster and safer missions. Currently, hazard analysis is lengthy, requiring multiple engineers and weeks to complete. AI offers a significant advantage by streamlining the process.
Group 3, consisting of Estefania Meza, Program Analyst at Yuma Test Center, Jaime Calanche, Test Officer at White Sands Test Center, John Kelly, Test Engineer at Redstone Test Center, and Mathew O'Connell, Lead Computer Scientist at Aberdeen Test Center, created a "mega prompt" using AI. They integrated AI with a basic system prompt and defined a specific role for the AI, including mission parameters and output expectations. They repeated the process until they achieved their desired mega prompt. The group believes AI implementation will benefit developmental testing, enabling the future force and saving lives.
Calanche said they anticipate improvements in using AI to develop safety standards, saving time and money and providing better data for decision-makers.
Other groups reached similar conclusions. AI can standardize hazard analysis across ATEC, streamline approvals, and reduce testing timelines. The seminar highlighted the potential to enhance developmental testing and the collaboration between educational institutions and military organizations.