Go Bold #27: The Bleeding Edge: Maj. Michael Kanaan on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

This episode is part of our Bleeding Edge series, where we focus on new and emerging technologies and topics that push the envelope. Our guest is Major Michael Kanaan, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and an officer who is globally recognized as an expert on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Our discussion strives to define AI and ML, and highlight its prevalence and importance in today’s society and for the future.In 2018 Maj. Kanaan served as Co-Chair at the Headquarters of the U.S. Air Force Cross-Functional Team on Artificial Intelligence, which authored the Air Force's artificial intelligence strategy, guided integration plans, and synchronized efforts across the Total Force Enterprises, while liaising with the Joint AI Center.In 2020 he became the Director of Operations at the Department of the Air Force / MIT Artificial Intelligence Accelerator which is the Air Force’s flagship artificial intelligence partnership with the MIT Computer Science and AI Laboratory (CSAIL) and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Our interview took place during his time in this position.In June 2022, Maj. Kanaan assumed the position of Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Scholar Masters Fellow, where he is pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School.Each of those positions is significant in their own right, but one of the foundation-setting highlights of Maj. Kanaan's career was his role as Officer In Charge of ACES HY (Airborne Cueing and Exploitation System Hyperspectral) Operations & Hyperspectral Analysis, NASIC, where he directed an 18 person team that leveraged scientific and technical intelligence sensor processing to exploit and disseminate hyperspectral data/imagery for U.S. Air Forces Central Command in support of forces deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.Our discussion strives to put AI and ML into context for the Air Force. We discuss the AlphaDogfight Trials, a project led by DARPA's Strategic Technology Office which is designed to demonstrate advanced algorithms capable of performing simulated, within-visual-range air combat maneuvering – commonly known as dogfighting. The trials were designed to energize and expand a base of AI developers for DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program. ACE seeks to automate air-to-air combat and build human trust in AI as a step toward improved human-machine teaming. Our discussion also delves into AI and ML as potential enablers for manned-unmanned teaming and for the USAF Skyborg and Loyal Wingman projects.We also discuss the book that Maj. Kanaan authored in his personal capacity, called T-Minus AI, where he explains AI from a human-oriented perspective so readers can grasp what we should know about modern computing, AI, machine learning, and its global implications.Our wide-ranging conversation is incredibly informative and thought provoking. All views presented are his own and do not necessarily reflect the stance of the US Government, the Department of Defense, the US Air Force, or any other Government agency.We thank Maj. Kanaan for his time and insight on this incredibly important topic.Go Bold!