By Maj. Mark Bateman & ChatGPT 4o 
Air Force Institute of Technology

(Image licensed from Shutterstock.com)

A PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON AFIT’S ROLE WITH AI
How will artificial intelligence shape the Air Force Institute of Technology’s role in leading defense-focused education, research, and consultation to accelerate military superiority across all domains? At AFIT, we believe the answer lies in collaboration, strategic alignment, and shared vision that supports our mission of accelerating military superiority. The establishment of the AFIT Artificial Intelligence Technology Research & Education Consortium (AI TREC) embodies our commitment to leading defense-focused AI research, education, and consultation. 

THE VISION OF AI TREC
The AI TREC aims to unify AI efforts across all of the schools at AFIT, starting with the Graduate School of Engineering and Management and the School of Systems and Logistics. With over 30 members, this consortium is designed to organize and coordinate AFIT’s long-term AI strategy— not only within our walls but extending to collaborations beyond AFIT. By connecting faculty, researchers, students, and external partners, the AI TREC is driving AFIT's contribution to AI technology and education into the future.

THE FOUR THRUSTS OF AI TREC
1. Curriculum Analysis
The AI TREC begins with a critical analysis of our existing AI curriculum to identify synergies that can be leveraged for greater impact and gaps that, if addressed, could elevate the quality of our AI education. By continually improving our offerings, we ensure our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a rapidly evolving technological landscape. This effort is led by Graduate School faculty members Dr. Brett Borghetti (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) and Dr. Matthew Robbins (Department of Operational Sciences), and Lt. Col. Hiren Patel from the Systems and Software Engineering Management Department within AFIT’s School of Systems and Logistics. This cross-functional approach exemplifies how we plan to strategically align AI efforts across AFIT.

2. Internal Resource Management
Effective AI research and education require strategic use of resources. The AI TREC seeks to identify, allocate, and optimize the tools and resources available to faculty, students, and researchers. By fostering collaboration across departments, centers, and schools, we aim to create a robust network that supports innovation through shared capabilities. These efforts are being led by our Compute Strategists, Lt. Col. James Dean, Assistant Professor of Computer Engineering, and Maj. Nicholas Yielding, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, who are working to assess and baseline existing resources to make informed decisions for future allocations, ensuring all areas have what they need to contribute effectively to our AI mission.

3. External Outreach and Engagement
To be effective, we must also look beyond our institution. How do we engage with external organizations that share our passion for AI? AI TREC is committed to building enduring relationships with external partners, ensuring these collaborations remain productive even as faculty members come and go. As part of our initial efforts, we plan to bring in guest speakers from various services to share their unique perspectives on how the military can leverage AI. Additionally, we recently added a featured topic section to the AFIT website (https://www.AFIT.edu/AITREC/) to facilitate engagement with potential external partners, both federal and non-federal.

4. Long-Term Growth Planning
Finally, the AI TREC is focused on preparing AFIT for the future of AI. This involves planning for various potential futures and ensuring we are prepared for whatever challenges or opportunities arise— always striving to adapt and grow efficiently. Maj. Mark Bateman, Assistant Professor of Systems Engineering, is leading the effort to explore different “What If?” scenarios to identify potential outcomes and gain a deeper understanding of the barriers and opportunities that could accompany each eventuality.

CONCLUSION: A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
AFIT has a legacy of contributing to AI research, a foundation that we intend to build upon. Today, we are poised at a critical juncture with opportunities ahead—one where leadership, collaboration, and strategic foresight can position AFIT to continue leading in defense-focused AI research, education, and consultation to support the deterrence and warfighting missions of the U.S. Air and Space Forces. Through the AI TREC, we’re preparing not just to keep pace with AI advancements, but to shape the future of AI in ways that directly enhance military superiority across all domains. The journey toward the future of AI at AFIT has begun, and we invite you to be a part of it, as we leverage Generative AI tools to enhance our communication and collaboration in educational and research settings. This article itself was created with the assistance of these tools, demonstrating the transformative potential of AI in shaping how we share knowledge and innovate together.