For the first time, the Department of the Air Force-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Accelerator has welcomed two Marines into the newest cohort of accelerator Phantoms, marking a significant milestone in the program's reach.
The Phantom Program, which admitted only DAF personnel up to this point, allows Airmen and Guardians to collaborate with world class AI researchers. The inclusion of Marines underscores the innovation needs and capabilities of service members across the Department of Defense.
"Marines have always been innovators, from amphibious operations to naval aviation, and will continue to carry on that tradition," said Lt. Gen. Matthew G. Glavy, deputy commandant, information, of the United States Marine Corps. "AI presents yet another opportunity for Marines to showcase their ability to fuse technology, people and processes to generate favorable outcomes across the competition continuum."
Traditionally, the program was compromised of only Airmen and Guardians, but now benefits from the unique perspectives and expertise of the Marine Corps.
"Marines bring a unique perspective to military operations, a perspective that can only enrich the AIA's own diversity of experience," said Col. Garry Floyd, director of the MIT-AI Accelerator. "Given the broad nature of the AIA's portfolio we are certain to find synergies across our efforts to develop and deploy difference making capabilities for operations."
The inclusion of Marine Corps active-duty members reflect the USMC's commitment to harnessing AI's potential.
"Partnering with MIT and the DAF AI Accelerator provides an opportunity to rapidly upskill our Marines to support the Marine Corps' acceleration of AI adoption, ultimately leading to increased decision advantage for commanders at all echelons," Glavy said.
During the five-month fellowship, Marine Phantoms will engage in cutting-edge AI research, rapid prototyping of AI algorithms, and scaling applications for real-world use.
A unique aspect of the Phantom Program is the requirement for each participant to produce a publishable impact paper. This not only enhances the program's value but also contributes significantly to military AI research.
The DAF-MIT AI Accelerator aims to accelerate fundamental AI research to improve Air Force operations and address societal needs. By including Marines, the program is taking a crucial step toward a more integrated and technologically advanced joint force.
"Ultimately the AIA is about accelerating the development and deployment of AI capabilities for the DAF…and the DoD," Floyd said. "Marines conduct operations in all domains of warfare, so when they asked if they could send representatives to this Phantom Cohort, it was an easy yes. We'll benefit from their perspective, and this provides the Marines with a cost-effective way of accelerating their own AI Roadmap."
