Autonomy and AI To Enable Multi-Domain Operations

November 28, 2018 - November 29, 2018

Cobo Center

Detroit, Michigan

Scope

In March of 2017, the U.S. Army’s Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) published the first Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Strategy.  The strategy clearly laid out its central objective:

“Effective integration of Robotic and Autonomous Systems improves U.S. forces’ ability to maintain overmatch and renders an enemy unable to respond effectively.  The Army must pursue Robotic and Autonomous Systems capabilities with urgency because adversaries are developing and employing a broad range of advanced Robotic and Autonomous Systems technologies as well as employing new tactics to disrupt U.S. military strengths and exploit perceived weaknesses. Robotic and Autonomous Systems are increasingly important to ensuring freedom of maneuver and mission accomplishment with the least possible risk to Soldiers.”

According to a February 2018 assessment, the Netherlands-based Market Report says, “the global artificial intelligence & robotics in the defense industry market is valued at over $39 billion in 2018 and is projected to grow to $61 billion by 2027.”  Companies with interest in defense and autonomy include:  Alphabet, Airbus Defence & Space, AMD, Apple, Boeing, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, Open AI, Qualcomm, Raytheon, Rheinmetall, Saab Defence, Thales, and more.  Additionally, auto manufacturers, smaller tech firms, and academic institutions are developing groundbreaking technologies daily.  Some of these developments could prove applicable to the Army’s initiatives.

The U.S. Army is already employing various robotic and autonomous systems, but has clearly set a course to do much more.  With the impending standup of the U.S. Army Futures Command, supported by Cross-Functional Teams which address significant current capability gaps, robotics, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are certain to be key to the Army’s overall objective of maintaining battlefield dominance over the armed forces of other great powers.

Objective

This symposium will explore and showcase innovative ways the U.S. Army is developing critical capabilities in robotics, autonomy, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.  The goals are to explore how the Army-Industry team can best collaborate to achieve cost-effective, innovative solutions to military problems, seamlessly reallocate resources as conditions change, and with the speed and efficiency that adversaries cannot match.

Support to America’s soldiers will be balanced, focused, and technologically superior in order to maintain superiority over any other force in the world.  Senior U.S. Army, Department of Defense, Industry and academic leaders, and other subject matter experts will provide dialogue and information on efforts to leverage autonomy the Army seeks to modernize and sustain the force -  and to win on any battlefield.

The key objective of AUSA’s Army Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence Symposium and Exposition will be to provide an open forum for attendees to interact and participate in discussions about the Army’s efforts to develop autonomous capabilities in all domains. It will also provide a platform for industry partners to demonstrate breakthroughs that could help the U.S. Army take full advantage of this technologies across all Army requirements.