Navy’s Michael Stewart on Why ‘Speed Matters’ With AI & Unmanned Systems
Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work approached Michael Stewart, director of the U.S. Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities Office, and asked if, given all of the rhetoric around artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, the service branch is actually making real use of the technologies and “doing something with it.” Until a few years ago, Stewart admits he himself wasn’t sure. But Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, among other examples, has shown Stewart and the world how important these emerging technologies are to warfighting now.
Stewart shared some of his findings at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit on Thursday. He said AI is quite good at sorting data and indicating what information should be prioritized. He also said it’s succeeding at target recognition and that a combination of manned and unmanned systems will be a good way to supplement stagnating fleet size in the years to come.
Building up attritable mass, rather than “some huge exquisite system,” is the name of the game, Stewart told the audience of government contractors.